Narrative Summary - October 2002

The average temperature for October 2002 was colder than normal, averaging 50.4ºF, 2.6º below normal (53.0ºF).
The warmest October occurred in 1988 and averaged 59.6ºF, while the coldest, in 1984, averaged 47.9ºF. The
period from October 23-31 averaged 9.1º below normal, including the coldest minimum temperature (7ºF
recorded on October 31) ever recorded in the month of October. The difference between the month's highest
temperature (81ºF on October 6) and the minimum mentioned above was 74º, the largest monthly October
temperature range ever recorded. The previous largest range for October was 72º in 1971. The greatest monthly
range ever recorded for any month was 86º in February 1950 (-23ºF to +63ºF). The following temperature records
were established in October:

                                 New      Old
    Date         Category       Record   Record     Year
     12		 Low Minimum	  29	   34	    1985 and earlier years
     24		 Low Minimum	  24	   26	    1975
     25		 Low Minimum	  23	   26	    1978
     30		 Low Minimum	  16	   20	    1972
     31		 Low Minimum	   7*	   12	    1984

  *All time record cold for October.  Previous monthly record 12ºF on October 31, 1984.

Precipitation for October 2002 was 0.12 inch, 24% of normal (0.49 inch). The wettest October, in 1957,
received 2.72 inches, while the driest, in 1987 and earlier years, received only a trace. Total precipitation for
2002 (through October) is 2.67 inches, 55% of normal (4.89 inches).

The average wind speed for October 2002 was 6.2 miles per hour (mph), 0.3 mph below normal (6.5 mph).
The windiest October on record averaged 9.1 mph (1946) while the October with the lightest winds (1952)
averaged 4.4 mph. The peak gust for the month was 43 mph on October 29. The record wind gust for October
was 72 mph in 1997.

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.