March 2014 Revisited

March 2014 was exciting, exactly like February, only different:  

Above average: Temperature, rainfall (total precipitation), snowfall
Average or near: Solar radiation
Below Average: Wind

March came in like the proverbial lion this year.  On the 1st of the month, it snowed 1".   Not too unusual for early March.   More unusual, though, was the 6.5" of snow the next day, which set a new snowfall record for any March 2nd in Hood River.  And then... rain, rain, and more rain for nearly the whole month.   There were only 9 days in March when it didn't rain, and most of those were during the first week of Spring.

And, as in February, record daily flows were set on the Hood at Tucker Bridge during March. As warmer temperatures prevailed, and the rains continued, 7 consecutive daily flow records were set, from March 5th through the 11th.  Nowhere near flood stage, but records none the less.

After a really cold February, March turned warmer than average.  My station's average temperature of 45.7° was warmer than the long term March average of 43.8°, and a little warmer than the more recent (2001-2013) average of 44.6°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 45.2°. 

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 66°, and the low temp was 26°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were the same:  66° and 26°.   We're in tune, or something, at least for March.

Solar radiation averaged 287 Ly/day, compared to an average March of 286 Ly/day, almost an exact match.   A little surprising, due to all the rain (and therefore cloud cover), but apparently cloud cover isn't too unusual for any given March.

The 24 hour average wind speed (for the month) at my weather station was 2.0 mph, compared to an average March wind speed of 2.8 mph.  The peak wind gust was 31 mph on the 14th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher. 

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.58", and the low barometric was 29.52".

Regarding rainfall (including melted snowfall), my station received 5.79", while HOXO recorded 5.21".  An average March receives 3.17", and, as in February, this went a long way towards moving us closer to water year averages.

Regarding snowfall, we received 7.5" total, whereas an average March receives 2.2".   According to MCAREC's official records, this was the most snow received in March since 1962!   Hard to believe, but apparently true.
 
And lastly, regarding local weather records, we set 4 in March.   On the 2nd, we received 6.5" of snow, breaking the previous record of 5" in 1962).  On the 5th, 0.95" of rain fell (old record 0.74" in 1996).  And then, as things warmed up, the low temperatures on the 6th and 9th (44° and 48° respectively) set new "high low" temperature records for those dates (43° in 1997 and 47° in 1983, respectively).

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 March 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.

March is an amazing month of transition; from Winter darkness into Spring lightness.   And as such, it's a very welcome renewal of wonder, hope, and faith in the wisdom of the Universe.   In other words, a Ticket to Heaven, which we've all been given, in the Here and Now, if we just take the time to appreciate it, while we can.   All the way....to Paradise...

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....

January 2014 Revisited

January 2014 was much like January 2013:  Boring.  In fact, I'm starting to think we should just skip January entirely from here on out, if this boring pattern persists.  Here's the boring summary for this January:

Above average: Temperature
Average or near: Solar radiation
Below Average: Wind, rainfall, snowfall

We moved back into the very familiar lately "warmer than average" category this month.  My station's average temperature of 37.2° was way warmer than the long term January average of 33.6°, and warmer than the more recent (2001-2013) average of 36.4°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 36.7°. 

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 54°, and the low temp was 23°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 54° and 20°.

January continued the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge of high pressure pattern which started in December.   This continued the ridiculously low snow pack in the mountains; putting the snow-water equivalent for the Hood basin at around 20% of average.  And the ridiculous ridge gave us a ridiculously long Gray Inversion event, lasting 11 days, from 1/18 through 1/28.  That was ridiculously insane, and not in a good way.

In spite of the long inversion, solar radiation averaged 91 Ly/day, compared to an average January of 87 Ly/day.

The 24 hour average wind speed (for the month) at my weather station was 1.4 mph, compared to an average January wind speed of 2.0 mph.  The peak wind gust was 37 mph on the 11th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher. 

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.72", and the low barometric was 29.53".

Regarding rainfall, my station received 3.82", while HOXO recorded 3.11".  An average January receives 5.10", and our water-year-to-date precipitation continued to slip even further behind than in December.

To accentuate the boring tediousness of the month even more, we received no measurable snowfall, whereas an average January receives 14.6" of snow.

And the icing on the boring cake that was January 2014?  Check this out:  there were absolutely no weather records set during the month.  Is that boring, or what?

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 January 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.

Ok, so it was a boring month, weather-wise.   But that didn't stop me from dreaming of sailing away to warmer places.   Well done, Brian Wilson and crew.

But there's another, better reason for this classic Beach Boys sailing-related song video.   I'm posting this (late, as usual) on May 8th, when the annual Oregon Offshore Race is going on, and as usual, local favorite "Velocity", skippered by local weather enthusiast TomK, is being cheered on.   

Hood River Weather Chat Guidelines

The Hood River Weather chat room materialized out of nothingness (into something-ness) in December, 2008.   From Day One, the participants have been remarkably civil and polite, compared to a lot of other chat forums.   That's been very much appreciated, but it's probably useful to post some guidelines as to what the chat room is for, and which topics and/or behavior are off-limits.   This is an evolving document, and it's subject to revision and clarification as the need arises.  So, here's the guidelines:

1)  The Hood River Weather forum is intended to be a friendly, informational, non-confrontational space where people can discuss weather, recreation, local events, and most other items of local interest, as long as discussions stay civil and respectful.   However, subjects such as partisan politics, religion, and anything else that can (or does) turn into an shouting match, are strongly discouraged.  Posts that stretch that too much might be deleted and those users might be banned for a period of time.


2)  The weather forum is not a place to personally attack other people in the chat room, or to criticize/attack specific local people, companies, or public/private entities.   If you disagree with something, please phrase your comments in such a way as to not be attacking.  Simply provide another view, or a constructive suggestion, without criticizing the original comment or person that made the comment.   Also, if you have a complaint about a public or private entity or regulation, don't use the chat room for that.  Please contact those people directly.
  
In other words, be kind, considerate, and respectful, as you would like to be treated yourself.

3)  One of the biggest strengths of this forum is the ability to insert informational links.  Those doing so are encouraged to provide a few words explaining what the link is for; just providing the link without explanation can result in folks not clicking on it.

Along the same lines, it's suggested that comments be succinct and to the point; they are much more likely to be read that way.

4)  During times of interesting weather, especially when hazardous conditions are likely occurring, please keep comments mostly focused on the weather, road reports, and other public safety information.   Also, if reporting conditions at your location, please specify the general location.

5)  Thanks for following these guidelines!

Tending to chat rooms, and herding cats...

December 2013 Revisited

December 2013 was:

Above average: Solar radiation
Average or near: Wind
Below Average: Temperature, rainfall, snowfall

December's are usually cold, but this one was COLD.  My station's average temperature of 34.3° was colder than the long term December average of 35.7°, and colder than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 35.4°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 33.7°. 

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 57°, and the low temp was 1°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 57° and 0°.

This December was notable in that a Ridiculously Resilient Ridge of high pressure planted itself offshore early in the month, and diverted nearly all moisture to the north for the rest of the month.   These ridges have been way too common the past few winters. They often result in inversions, and aren't good for increasing much needed snowpack.

Solar radiation averaged 96 Ly/day, compared to an average December of 73 Ly/day.

The 24 hour average wind speed (for the month) at my weather station was 1.7 mph, compared to an average December wind speed of 1.8 mph.  The peak wind gust was 30 mph on the 21st.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher. 

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.69", and the low barometric was 29.77".

Regarding rainfall, my station received 3.13", while HOXO recorded 2.98".  An average December receives 5.85", and our water-year-to-date precipitation continued to slip even further behind than in November.

Hood River received it's first measurable snowfall of the season on the 6th, when 2.0" fell, in the middle of the Arctic Blast.   An average December receives 8.6" of snow.

There were 2 local weather records set in December.  On the 1st, we were deluged with 2.23" of warm rain from the tropics, soundly breaking the old record of 1.07" set in 1942.   The warmth and the rain didn't last long though, as the Arctic Blast air moved in, setting a new low temperature record of 4° on Dec 4th.   The previous record was 9° in 2009.

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 December 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.

One of the more stressful yet strangely compelling tasks in life is getting ready for Christmas Day.   Between the putting up of decorations, sending cards (you still do that?), and trying to figure out who to buy stuff for, and what they might possibly want, it's all enough to drive one to drink, not to mention eat a lot.

However, there's actually a deeper meaning to Christmas, one that involves actual joy and celebration, as Paul Simon reminds us in this song, as only Paul Simon can do.

And here's a short "making of" video, explaining some of what went into the making of.