April 2014 Revisited

April 2014, summed up:  

Above average: Temperature, rainfall
Average or near: Wind, solar radiation
Below Average:  Nothing

After an exciting February and March, April calmed down into a more typical April pattern.

My station's average temperature of 52.2° was way warmer than the long term April average of 49.7°, and way warmer than the more recent (2001-2013) average of 49.6°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 51.6°. 

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 80°, and the low temp was 33°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 78° and 32°.

Solar radiation averaged 440 Ly/day, compared to an average April of 435 Ly/day.

The 24 hour average wind speed (for the month) at my weather station was 3.0 mph, compared to an average April wind speed of 3.2 mph.  The peak wind gust was 32 mph on the 11th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher. 

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.55", and the low barometric was 29.71".

Regarding rainfall, my station received 2.64", while HOXO recorded 2.01".  An average April receives 1.66".   The abundance of April showers set up the usual May flowers sequence; not to mention, pushing us over the top for water-year precipitation.   That was a long time coming this year.
 
There were no local weather records set in April.

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 April 2014, 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.

April brought the passing of a local music legend, Rick Hulett.   Not unexpected, due to his long fight with cancer, which he fought with courage, music, and love, but still a huge loss to the community, and fellow musicians across the country.   Play on, Rick...