February 2013 Revisited

February 2013 started off exactly like January 2013 (boring), but eventually got interesting.  Here's how things averaged out:

Above average:  Temperature
Average or near: Wind, solar radiation
Below Average: Rain, snow

My station's average temperature of 42.1° was way warmer than the long term February average of 38.0°, and warmer than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 39.4°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 41.4°.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 58°, and the low temp was 27°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 57° and 26°, another confirmation that either both of our thermometers are accurate, or they're both off.  Your guess is as good as mine.  

The high heat index (at my station) for the month was 57°, and the low wind chill was 27°.

Solar radiation averaged 193 Ly/day, compared to an average February of 184 Ly/day.  A little bit sunnier than average, but not by much.

Regarding precipitation, February was another one of those proverbial "studies in contrasts". The first half of the month was almost totally dry, following the boring dryness of January.  Then, on the 21st, the persistent blocking high finally broke down, and the rains returned.   My station had 2.01" rain for the month, and HOXO officially recorded 1.50".   Since an average February receives 3.81", this was still a very dry month.  In fact, up until the 21st, we were looking at tying the record for "least precipitation in February." 

The max daily precipitation was February 28th, when HOXO recorded 0.44", and my station 0.51".

There was no measurable snowfall here at my May and Rand location.  Average February snowfall, as officially measured by MCAREC, is 7.3".

The 24 hour average wind  speed at my weather station was 2.4 mph, compared to an average February wind speed of 2.2 mph.  The peak wind gust was 29 mph on the 11th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations, such as the Columbia River, were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.53", and the low barometric was 29.75".

There were two local weather records set this month, both having to do with waking up to warm mornings.  On February 12th, the low temperature of 43° topped the old "high low" record of 41°, set back in 1956.   And the very next day, the low temperature of 43° set another "high low" record.   Old record 41°, set in 1991.  Kind of odd that those two days had the exact same temperature numbers, but that's weather for ya.

These monthly summaries use data from my weather station located near May and Rand Streets in Hood River. To view my weather station's data for February 2013, click here.  For official Hood River data, and historical averages/records, the data comes from both the manually read NOAA station at MCAREC, and HOXO, the automated station located right next to MCAREC.

Every year, 'round about February, I start to think "wow, I'm really getting tired of this cold, grey winter weather," and then I start to wonder just how much longer I can take it, before I "snap".   Which isn't a pretty sight when it happens, believe me.   Regardless, 'round about February every year, "how long" is the question on my lips, which makes for some rather strange looking lips.   However, they usually get better looking (relatively speaking) by March.