Narrative Summary - November 1996

November 1996 was cooler than normal, averaging 38.4ºF, 1.8º below normal
(40.2ºF). The warmest November averaged 46.5ºF (1990), while the coldest, in
1985, averaged 24.8ºF. No new daily temperature records were established
during the month.

November 1996 was the wettest November on record, and the third wettest month
ever recorded at the Hanford Meteorology Station (HMS). November
precipitation totaled 2.67 in, 293% of normal (0.91 in.). The previous
wettest November, in 1973, received 2.64 in. The wettest month ever at the
HMS was June 1950, which recorded 2.92 in. The driest November, in 1976,
received only a trace amount of precipitation. Twenty-four hour precipitation
on November 18-19 totaled 1.70 in., also a November record. The previous 24-
hr precipitation record for November was 0.78 in. on November 19-20, 1966.
The record 24-hr precipitation total was 1.91 in. on October 1-2, 1957. Total
precipitation since January 1 is 8.50 in., 163% of normal (5.23 in.).

November 1996 was the third snowiest November on record, receiving 11.9 in.,
compared to a November normal of 1.8 in. The snowiest November, in 1985,
received 18.3 in., while numerous Novembers have received no snow at all.

Autumn 1996 (September, October and November) was slightly cooler than normal,
averaging 51.7ºF, 1.2º below normal (52.9ºF). The warmest autumn, in 1990,
averaged 57.1º; while the coolest, in 1985, averaged 44.5º. The autumn months
were much wetter than normal, receiving 3.77 in. of precipitation, 236% of
normal (1.60 in.), the third wettest autumn on record. The wettest was in
1973 with 4.79 in., while the driest, in 1976, received only 0.04 in.

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.