Narrative Summary - May 2004

The average temperature for May 2004 was near normal, averaging 61.5ºF, 0.3º below normal (61.8ºF). The
warmest May occurred in 1947 and averaged 68.7ºF, while the coolest, in 1984, averaged 56.0ºF. No daily
temperatures records were established in May. 

                              New         Old
Date          Category        Record     Record       Year
none

Precipitation for May 2004 totaled 0.89 inch, 162% of normal (0.55 inch). The wettest May, in 1972, received
2.03 inches; and the driest, in 1992 and prior years, received only a trace. There were 5 thunderstorms
recorded in May, compared to a normal of 2 and a record of 7 in 1956. Total precipitation for 2004 (through
May) is 4.50 inches, 144% of normal (3.12 inches).

The average wind speed for May 2004 was 8.4 miles per hour (mph), 0.5 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 10. The record wind gust for May was 71 mph in 1948.

Spring 2004 (March, April, and May) was warmer than normal, with an average temperature of 55.4ºF, 1.6º
above normal (53.8ºF). The warmest spring (1992) averaged 58.2ºF; the coolest (1955) averaged 48.0ºF).
Spring season precipitation totaled 1.46 inches, 92% of normal (1.58 inches). The wettest spring (1995)
received 3.23 inches; 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.