Narrative Summary - March 1999

March 1999 was slightly warmer than normal, averaging 46.3ºF, 0.7º above normal (45.6ºF). The
warmest March occurred in 1992 and averaged 51.5ºF, while the coldest was 39.4ºF in 1955. No
new daily temperature records were established in March.

Precipitation for March 1999 totaled only 0.06 inch, 13% of normal (0.47 inch). The wettest
March, in 1957, received 1.86 inches, while the driest, in 1968, received only 0.02 inch. No
snowfall was recorded in March 1999, compared to a March normal of 0.3 inch. The snowiest
March received 4.2 inches (1951), while numerous March's have received no snowfall. Snowfall
for the 1998-1999 winter season totaled only 0.9 inch, the second lowest total on record. The
lowest total was 0.3 inch in the winter of 1957-1958; while highest was 56.1 inches during the
winter of 1992-1993. (Normal is 13.4 inches.) Total precipitation since January 1, 1999 is 1.65
inches, 88% of normal (1.88 inches).

March 1999 was windier than normal, with an average wind speed of 9.3 miles per hour (mph),
1.0 mph above normal (8.3 mph). The windiest March on record averaged 10.7 mph (1977), while
the March with the lightest winds (1958) averaged 5.9 mph. The peak gust for the month was 52
mph on March 29. The record wind gust for March was 70 mph in 1956.

The monthly climatological data summaries, as well as other information, are available
on the Internet. Address: http://etd.pnl.gov:2080/HMS/. Hanford Site personnel can
access the HMS Intranet site at: http://hms.rl.gov/

For additional information contact:
Ken Burk373-3215
Dana Hoitink372-6414

Note: The information in this summary pertains specifically to
the Hanford Meteorology Station (HMS), which is located
approximately 25 miles northwest of Richland, Washington. No
attempt should be made to infer meteorological conditions at other
locations from these data.