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Durham NH Weather Review, 2002 June, 2002 Weather in June 2002 was cooler and wetter than normal. Temperatures for the month averaged about a half degree below normal, marking the second straight month with below average temperatures. This is noteworthy because we experienced 9 straight months with above normal monthly temperatures extending from July 2001 through April 2002. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in June 2002 were 39 degrees (on the 4th) and 91 degrees (on the 26th), respectively. Precipitation for June totaled 5.3 inches, which is almost 2 inches above the long-term mean. This also marks the second straight month with above normal precipitation. In fact, rainfall for both May and June combined were well over 3 inches above normal. As a result, the drought of 2001-2002 is practically history. Although most of the adverse effects of this recent drought are now behind us (i.e., forest fire dangers, threats to agriculture, and low reservoir levels), in a few instances, groundwater levels have still not fully recovered. While the drought may not be completely behind us, we are in vastly better shape now than we were a couple of months ago. What's ahead for July? Hopefully no more heatwaves like the one we just left behind. However, climatically, the warmest day of the year in Durham is July 19. This is based on examination of daily averages for over 75 years. In other words, we are progressing right into the heart of New England summer. On average, morning temperatures in July are in the upper 50s, while in the afternoon, they climb into the low 80s - beach weather! Drink plenty of fluids and wear your sunscreen. May, 2002 Weather in May 2002 will be remembered for being cooler and wetter than normal, and for the freakish snow event that took place on May 18th! Temperatures for the month of May averaged slightly below normal. This is first time that a monthly mean temperature in Durham has averaged below the long-term average, since last July - breaking a string of 9 consecutive months with above normal temperatures. The last freeze for the season (at least I hope) occurred on May 20th, when the morning temperature dipped to 31 degrees. It appears that the drought of 2001-2002 is almost history. Rainfall for the month of May totaled 5.3 inches, which is over an inch and half above normal. Although most of the adverse effects of our recent drought are now mitigated (i.e., forest fire dangers, threats to agriculture, and low reservoir levels), in a few instances, groundwater levels have not fully recovered. While the drought may not be completely behind us, we are in vastly better shape now than we were a month or two ago. The highlight of last month's weather had to be the very late-season snowfall that took place on May 18. Although most of this region received less than an inch of snow, some parts of Barrington reported up to 2 inches. While this was truly an unusual event, it is not unprecedented, as Durham has officially recorded traces snowfall in June and even July, which took place in the 1940s and 1950s. In New England, winter really seems hesitant to let go, even deep into spring.....and even summer! What's ahead for June? Hopefully no more snow storms! Sure bets for June include the occurrence of the summer solstice on June 21 at 9:24 am EDT. On the solstice, we will experience the greatest length of daylight for any day of the entire year at 15 hours and 23 minutes. The sun will rise at 5:04 am EDT and will set at 8:27 pm EDT. June also marks the beginning of the tropical storm season, and "experts" are calling for an average season. However, just remember, all it takes is one. April, 2002 It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my co-author Norm Macdonald. Norm died on Sunday, April 21 in York, Maine after fighting a heroic battle with cancer. Norm is best known in this region for his antics as a weathercaster on WBZ Channel 4 in Boston, from 1960-1977. It was his unique way of thinking that separated him from the rest, e.g., he was noted for estimating the number the snowflakes in a storm, or the total poundage of water needed to end a drought. On top of this, he was also a top-notch forecaster. Following his television career, Norm was an active researcher, and more recently, focused his efforts on the global warming debate. I never knew Norm's "television persona" due to my late arrival (1994) in New England. However, the Norm that I knew -- as collaborator, mentor, and friend -- was a true gentlemen and a scholar. He will be sorely missed. Just as Norm would have wanted, the Seacoast had the entire kitchen sink thrown at it over the past month. As a result, April 2002 weather will go down in history as "classic" New England spring weather. Seacoast residents experienced soaring temperatures in the low 90s on April 17, which tumbled nearly 30 degrees in about an hour later that evening. In all, the month averaged over 3 degrees above normal. We were blessed with a very late season snow storm on the 26th, complete with mammoth-sized snowflakes, which reduced visibility that evening to dangerous proportions. Also, the region recorded measurable rainfall on more than half the days of the month (16), yet the total precipitation amount for the month was still slightly below normal. Despite the near normal rains over the past 2 months, drought conditions still prevail over the southern New Hampshire, though the severity has lessened. We realize that it hard to imagine that a drought is still on with all the sloppy saturated soils. However, the problems stem from below normal water tables and reservoir levels, which have yet to fully recover from below normal rains over the past year. So what's ahead for May? One sure bet is more sunshine. The average amount of cloudiness this month is one of the lowest of the year. And after 16 rainy days this past month, this is welcomed. Temperatures continue to climb with average morning lows in the mid 50s by the end of the month. Daytime highs in the 80s are not out of the question especially near the end of the month. As for frosts, if you want to play it really safe with those susceptible plants like tomatoes, wait until the Memorial Day weekend for planting. But the odds on a significant frost are quite low after the middle of the month. March, 2002 At the end of February, we were all thinking that winter was over - or perhaps you were thinking it never started! However, this is New England, and March 2002 brought us the snowiest month of this past winter season. Isn't it interesting that March 2001 was also the snowiest month of last winter. The month of March is truly an oddity in New England because it can be very winter-like here, while most everywhere else in the United States is enjoying Spring. This is partly because of the very cold water offshore at this time, but it is also related to the position of the jetstream at this time of year. While keeping in stride with the rest of this past winter, March 2002 was warmer than normal, but by only about 2 degrees. This month marks the 9th straight month with above normal temperatures. The last month that was cooler than normal was July 2001. The absolute extremes recorded this past month were a chilly 14 degrees recorded on the morning of the 22nd, and a balmy 65 on the 31st. For the first time since September 2001, the region experienced a month with above normal precipitation. Well over 4 inches of rainfall fell across the Seacoast region, which is about 1 inch above the long-term average for March. The month came complete with a potpourri of precipitation types, ranging from snow, sleet, and just plain rain, but most of time it was all three at once. Snowfall for the month totaled 14 inches, which is about 5 inches above normal. Interestingly, all of the measured snow occurred during the latter half of the month. Although most of the soil is near saturated across the region from recent rains, most of the large reservoirs are still below where they should be at this point in the year. As a result, the region is still suffering from hydrologic drought conditions, but this past month is a sign that things might be changing for the better. What's ahead for the rest of April? Sometimes we get the last gasp of winter in the first half of the month, so don't pack away that snow shovel just yet. Noreasters become rare events, especially after the 15th. The famous April showers are more common after that, with monthly average precipitation just under 4 inches. You better wait on planting that garden, however, because below freezing temperatures can also occur right through the end of the month and beyond. February, 2002 February 2002 kept in step with this past January and December, as warm and dry conditions prevailed across the region. February temperatures were over 6 degrees above normal, making it tied for the fourth warmest February on record. Average temperatures during this winter, December, January, and February (winter 2001-2002), were the warmest on record in this region, dating back to 1895, shattering the previous high from 1933 by over 2 degrees F. This record warmth was experienced over most of the contiguous United States. Precipitation for the month totaled nearly 2 inches of liquid equivalent, which is about an inch short of normal. As a result, our drought continues for the about the 6th straight month, dating back to August 2001. This drought is classified as "severe" across most of New England, and the area affected stretches from Maine to Georgia. The most notable precipitation event in February was the freezing rain that took place on Friday, February 1, leaving about a half inch glaze of ice on the roads, cars, driveways, etc. Snowfall for the month was only about 3 inches, which is nearly 8 inches below normal for the month. So far, Durham has recorded about 25 inches of snow for this season, with about 5 more weeks of snow potential. Average snowfall for a winter season is near 55 inches. So, what's ahead for March? Although it may appear that winter is over, just remember that Durham recorded over 40 inches of snow in March alone last year. So don't pack away that snow shovel just yet. Clearly the region is in a warm and dry pattern, but all it takes is one good storm to turn things around snow-wise. If the warmer-than-normal conditions continue like it has over the past 3 months, we may have mud season mostly behind us and so we can start gearing up for gardening earlier than usual. One sure bet for March is that the spring equinox will occur at precisely 2:16 PM on the 20th, marking the official end to the astronomical winter and the beginning of spring. January, 2002 Those folks who take off for Florida during winter are probably wondering if it was worth the time, effort and cost this year. Unusual winter warmth continued not only in this area but all over New England during this past month of January. In Durham, temperatures for January 2002 averaged over 10 degrees above normal, making it the warmest January on record dating back to 1895! Remarkably, on all but three days this past month, the region experienced high temperatures at or above freezing, and the absolute coldest temperature measured all month long was a relatively balmy 12 degrees (on the 20th). When you consider that the long-term average early morning temperature in January in Durham is 11 degrees, and that the Seacoast normally has about 10-12 days per winter when temperatures drop below zero, it makes this January truly unusual. It all adds to a memorable January, that was quite pleasurable for those who hate the cold. Eat your heart out all you transplanted New Englanders in Florida! Precipitation for this past month was close to 2.2 inches, which is over a half inch below the long-term mean. In other words, the New England drought is still with us in full force and is still classified by federal agencies as "severe." Even though the region has still not been hit with a severe snow storm this season, numerous small storms have produced 2- and 3-inches of snow at a time. This brought the total for Durham to near 15 inches, which is just about normal for the month. What's ahead for the rest of February? Hopefully good news will begin today with a Patriots win in New Orleans. Our only concern is that colder conditions may result -- as hell -- and every place else freezes over. Isn't that what everyone was saying about the Patriots chances when the NFL season began this year, and especially when Drew went down? But barring a major "freeze over," February is just about as snowy and cold as January. Afternoon high temperatures are near 36, and morning lows near 14. Now, for that to happen this year, the region will have to cool down a lot from January, just to reach average. Also, by the end of this month, we will be experiencing a potential of 11 hours of daylight by the 28th. |
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