Narrative Summary - October 1999

October 1999 was cooler than normal, averaging 51.8ºF, 1.1º below normal (52.9ºF). The
warmest October occurred in 1988 and averaged 59.6ºF, while the coolest was 47.9ºF in
1984. The first official (measured at the Hanford Meteorology Station) freezing
temperature (minimum temperature <= 32ºF) occurred on October 17. The average date for
the first freezing temperature is October 20, with the earliest occurring on September 25
(in 1972) and the latest on November 12 (in 1962). The following daily temperature
records were established in October:

                          New          Old
Date   Category          Record       Record     Year
  3    Low Minimum         33           33       1973   Tied
 13    High Maximum	   81		79       1945
 27    Low Maximum	   43		43	 1993   Tied

Precipitation for October 1999 totaled 0.48 in., 126% of normal (0.38 in.) The wettest
October, in 1957, received 2.72 in., while the October with the least precipitation (1987
and earlier years) received only a trace. Total precipitation since January 1 was 3.42 in.,
79% of normal (4.32 in.).

The average wind speed for October 1999 was 7.7 miles per hour (mph), 1.2 mph above
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 46 mph on October 31. 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.