February 2014 Revisited

Ok, so January 2014 was boring.  February 2014 was anything but, as Winter roared back onto the scene after a long absence.  

Above average: Rainfall (total precipitation), snowfall
Average or near: Nothing
Below Average: Wind, temperature, solar radiation

February started off with a bang, as actual Winter weather finally arrived.  On the 1st of the month, 1" of snow broke the long snowless streak, dating back to December 7th.   And then, on February 6th, snow arrived big time, with 9" on the 6th, 9" on the 7th, and 6" of snow on the 8th.   It then rained almost continually until February 21, at which point the deluge pretty much stopped.  All that precipitation brought the Hood basin snow-water equivalent from a low of only 20% of normal, back up into somewhat more normal ranges.   Skiers and water managers rejoiced, as did those of us who were near comatose from the boring lack of interesting weather in January.

Speaking of water, record daily flows were set on the Hood at Tucker Bridge on February 12th and 13th due to snow melt and runoff.

Temperature-wise, it was cold...very cold...  In fact, this was the coldest February since 1993.  My station's average temperature of 35.7° was much colder than the long term February average of 38.0°, and way colder than the more recent (2001-2013) average of 39.6°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 35.3°. 

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 53°, and the low temp was 12°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 53° and 8°.

Solar radiation averaged 122 Ly/day, compared to an average February of 184 Ly/day, mostly due to the fact that it was cloudy a lot.

The 24 hour average wind speed (for the month) at my weather station was 1.6 mph, compared to an average February wind speed of 2.2 mph.  The peak wind gust was 30 mph on the 15th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher. 

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.62", and the low barometric was 29.49".

Regarding rainfall (including melted snowfall), my station received 6.60", while HOXO recorded 5.44".  An average February receives 3.84", and this went a long way towards moving us closer to water year averages.   This was the wettest February since 2000.

Regarding snowfall, we received 25" total, whereas an average February receives 7.4".  This was the most snow received in February since 1990.
 
And lastly, regarding local weather records, we set two in February.   On the 6th, the high temperature only reached 18°, setting a new "low high" record (previous record 25° in 1989).  On the 7th, the 9" of snowfall broke the old daily record of 6.2" in 1985.  

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 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.

For some reason, every February's "Revisited" video post here for the past few years has had a Valentine's Day theme.    Which is odd, because it's probably my least favorite "Holiday".  I think the only reason I post relationship-related videos in February is because I can't figure out when else to post them.

Anyway, I suspect that the fact that "Valentines Day" even exists is due to the need to give the economy (especially the candy, flowers, and card sectors) a needed boost after a slow Winter.  Call me cynical, or call me... suspicious....