2009 Revisited

For those of you (approximate count: zero) insisting that I post 2009's yearly averages and totals, here ya go:

At my station in Hood River, 2009 was warmer than long term averages, but cooler than earlier this decade. Precipitation was above average, and wind speed was slightly below average.

The average temperature for the year was 51.9 degrees, 0.7 degrees warmer than long term averages. On the other hand, it was 0.6 degrees cooler than more recent (2001-2008) averages. During that recent time period, using my station's data, 2003 was the warmest year at 53.8 degrees. 2003 was one warm puppy of a year.

Precipitation was 0.90" above average. Average wind speed (round the clock average) for the year was 2.8 mph, slightly below average. Note the usual disclaimer about wind speed being lower at our station; but the comparison to the 2003-2008 average is valid, since those are all from my station's data.

	High	Low	Average	Historical Average
Temperature (F)	107.4	4.8	51.9	50.7
Wind (mph)	37		2.8	3.0
Rainfall (in)	3.09		30.93	30.03
Barometric (in Hg)	30.84	29.33

December 2009 Revisited

Compared to historical averages, December in Hood River was way colder, with less precipitation, and not so windy.

The average temperature (30.9°) was much colder than long term averages (36.1°), and ditto for more recent averages of 36.2° (2000-2008). There was 3.51" of precipitation, compared to an average December total of 4.84". The wind speed was considerably lower than average (1.2 mph vs 1.6 mph), consistent with the lower average wind speeds for the past 4 months.

December started out with normal seasonal temperatures. But then, on Dec 6th, a cold, dry arctic air mass descended upon us, and didn't moderate above freezing until Dec 13th. During that time, the temperature dropped to 5°, and we had a minimum dew point of -9°. Wind chills were brutal. Don't ask me exactly how brutal, because my stupid database doesn't maintain that data.

As we transitioned out of the arctic air, freezing rain hit the western Gorge, and I84 was closed overnight Dec 12-13. Lots of precipitation arrived between Dec 14th and 22nd. A couple of days of minor snow/ice/slush in our area, then just rain, then dry. Piles of snow in parking lots and yards persisted through Christmas, so technically, it was a White Christmas. Or not.

I won't even mention the inversion event between Dec 24th and Dec 29, because I hate inversions, and mentioning it would give it more attention that it deserves.

Precipitation returned on Dec 29th, culminating in a record 6" snowfall on Dec 31, breaking the previous record of 3.5" in 1931. All in all, a fitting weather climax to 2009 and the "aught" years!

The data below is from my home weather station. To view its December monthly summary and graphs at Weather Underground, click here.

The "historical average" numbers for temperature and rainfall are from the Hood River MCAREC data. Historical wind average is from my station's 2000 to 2008 data. Note that average wind speeds include all 24 hours of the day and night, which is why they are way lower than daytime peak winds. In addition, the wind speed at this station is considerably lower than on the Columbia River.

	High	Low	Average	Historical Average
Temperature (F)	48	5	30.9	36.1
Wind (mph)	26		1.2	1.6
Rainfall (in)	0.97		3.51 (total)	5.81

Thank goodness for strong magnetic fields!

November 2009 Revisited

Compared to historical averages, November in Hood River was warmer, normal in precipitation, and less windy.

The average temperature (42.1°) was warmer than long term averages (41.5°), but only slightly warmer than more recent averages of 42.0° (2000-2008). There was 4.86" of precipitation, compared to an average November precipitation of 4.84". The wind speed was considerably lower than average (0.9 mph vs 1.7 mph), consistent with the lower average wind speed for the past 3 months. As with October, this was the least windy November since at least 2002.

There were no official Hood River weather records set in November.

The data below is from my home weather station. To view its monthly summary and graphs at Weather Underground, click here.

The "historical average" numbers for temperature and rainfall are from the Hood River MCAREC data. Historical wind average is from my station's 2000 to 2008 data. Note that average wind speeds include all 24 hours of the day and night, which is why they are way lower than daytime peak winds. In addition, the wind speed at this station is considerably lower than on the Columbia River.

	High	Low	Average	Historical Average
Temperature (F)	60	30	42.1	41.5
Wind (mph)	33		0.9	1.7
Rainfall (in)	0.84		4.86 (total)	4.84

Goodbye Autumn... Hello Winter...

October 2009 Revisited

Compared to historical averages, October in Hood River was cooler, a little drier, and less windy.

The average temperature (50.5°) was 0.8 degrees cooler than long term averages, and 1.8 degrees cooler than more recent averages (2000-2008). This reversed the previous 3 month's pattern of warmer than average temperatures. In this century, only 2002 and 2007 were slightly cooler at 50.4°. There was 2.23" of rain, compared to an average October precipitation of 2.38". The wind speed was considerably lower than average. This was the least windy October since at least 2002.

October was especially notable for having an early frost, and an extremely early snowfall (see previous blog post). But the snow melted fast, and didn't count as an official MCAREC Hood River record. Still, it was a lot of fun to watch, and it was the earliest snowfall in Hood River in my memory, which goes back to 1976. Assuming my memory is correct, which isn't a given.

There was 1 officially confirmed local weather record set in October. On the 13th, the high temperature only reached 40°, breaking the previous "low high" of 49° set in 1966.

The data below is from my home weather station. To view its monthly summary and graphs at Weather Underground, click here.

The "historical average" numbers for temperature and rainfall are from the Hood River MCAREC data. Historical wind average is from my station's 2000 to 2008 data. Note that average wind speeds include all 24 hours of the day and night, which is why they are way lower than daytime peak winds. In addition, the wind speed at this station is considerably lower than on the Columbia River.

	High	Low	Average	Historical Average
Temperature (F)	69	27	50.5	51.3
Wind (mph)	31		1.3	2.1
Rainfall (in)	0.56		2.23 (total)	2.38

Global Warming... Yeah, Right

I keep hoping that climate change will extend the growing season in Hood River. My hopes keep getting dashed. The first frost of the season (at city elevation) arrived Oct 11, and it came with a record-setting vengeance. The previous Oct 11th record low of 28° (1980) was easily brushed aside by the 25° low measured at MCAREC's HOXO station.

But, as fun as THAT was, it was just the prelude... and, the setup. Two days later, on Oct 13, a Pineapple Express began to move in over the top of the cold air. This produced what may have been the earliest recorded measurable snowfall in Hood River! The previous earliest snow date for Hood River was Oct 29, 1935.

We'll have to wait for MCAREC's official data on this, but I'm estimating up to 0.5 inches of snow built up in areas around town. It melted fast, which may affect whether it was "measurable" or not, but in any event, it was awesomely cool to see snowfall this early in the season.

But wait! There's more! The high temperature that day only reached 40°! That totally demolished the previous "low high" record of 49° (1966).

Thus, October 13, 2009, might well have been a rare "three-fer" in the world of Hood River weather records. Earliest measureable snowfall, most snowfall on any Oct 13, and the record "low high" for the date.

So I think I'll wait at least one more year to plant citrus trees here. But... if we had some global warming...

Thanks to Dave from the weather chat room for the link to this catchy little tune.