Narrative Summary - May 2003

The average temperature for May 2003 was cooler than normal, averaging 61.1ºF, 0.7º below normal (61.8ºF).
The warmest May occurred in 1947 and averaged 68.7ºF, while the coldest, in 1984, averaged 56.0ºF. The first
day of 2003 with a maximum of 80ºF or greater occurred on May 22, the second latest in any year to reach that
temperature. The latest date was May 25 in 1948. The following temperature records were established in May:

                              New        Old
Date          Category       Record     Record       Year
 17           Low Maximum      58          61        1974
 17           Low Minimum      36          38        1988 and earlier years

Precipitation for May 2003 was 0.08 inch, 14% of normal (0.55 inch). The wettest May occurred in 1972 and
received 2.03 inches, while the driest May, in 1992 and earlier years, received only a trace. Total 2003
precipitation (through May) is 5.26 inches, 169% of normal (3.12 inches).

The average wind speed for May 2003 was 8.2 miles per hour (mph), 0.7 mph below normal (8.9 mph). 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 41 mph on May 14. The record wind gust for May was 71 mph in
1948.

The 2003 spring season (March, April and May) was slightly warmer than normal, averaging 54.1ºF, 0.3º
above normal (53.8ºF). The warmest spring (1992) averaged 58.2ºF, while the coolest (1955) averaged
48.0ºF. Spring season 2003 precipitation totaled 2.57 inches, 163% of normal and was the 6th wettest spring
on record. The wettest (1995) 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.