Narrative Summary - May 2002

Note: Due to insufficient interest for compact disc (CD), the annual report will be issued via paper copy only.


The average temperature for May 2002 was cooler than normal, averaging 60.1ºF, 1.7º below normal (61.8ºF).
The warmest May occurred in 1947 and averaged 68.7ºF, while the coolest, in 1984, averaged 56.0ºF. There were
no daily temperature records established in May 2002.




Precipitation for May 2002 was 0.16 inch, 29% of normal (0.55 inch).  The wettest May, in 1972, received 

2.03 inches, while the driest, in 1992 and earlier years, received only a trace amount.  Total precipitation for
 
2002 (through May) is 1.73 inches, 55% of normal (3.12 inches).



The average wind speed for May 2002 was 9.1 miles per hour (mph), 0.2 mph above normal (8.9 mph).  May 

2002 established new records for numbers of days with peak gusts >= 35 mph with 13 (the previous record was 

10 in 2000 and earlier years), and days with peak gusts >= 40 mph with 7 (the previous record was 6 in 2000 

and earlier years). The windiest May on record averaged 10.7 mph (1983), while the May with the lightest 

winds (1957) averaged 5.8 mph. The peak gust for the month was 52 mph on May 5. The record wind gust for 

May was 71 mph in 1948.



Spring 2002 (March, April and May) was cooler than normal, averaging 51.9ºF, 1.9º below normal (53.8ºF).  

The warmest spring, in 1992, averaged 58.2ºF, while the coolest, in 1955, averaged 48.0ºF.  Spring season 

precipitation totaled 0.64 inch, 40% of normal (1.58 inches).  The wettest spring (1955) received 3.28 inches,
 
while the driest (1968) received only 0.09 inch.



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.