Weather Summary 2000

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Historical Weather Information

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January
January was cool, with daily averages 0.83 degrees below normal. This was the coldest January here in East Wareham since 1994. Maximum temperature was 56 degrees on the 4th and a minimum temperature of 2 degrees was recorded on the 22nd. The first twelve days were very warm, then very cold thereafter. The record high for January was set in 1932 at 67 degrees. No records were broken this month.

Precipitation totaled 3.94 inches, which is 0.36 inches below normal. We had measurable rain on 6 days. The average snowfall for January is 7.5 inches; this year there was a total of 7 inches of measurable snow fell on the 14th and 21st.. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.76 inches on the 11th.. This season’s first snowfall on 1/14/00 ended a record 303-day stretch with no observed snow.

Sunshine totaled 51% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This is 5 points more than the average and 9 points more than January last year.

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February
February was warm, with daily averages 5.0 degrees above normal. This was the sixth year in a row with above normal temperatures for February in East Wareham. Maximum temperature was 55 degrees on the 24th and a minimum temperature of 13 degrees was recorded on the 13th. No records were broken this month.

Precipitation totaled 3.63 inches, which was 0.09 inches above normal for the month and 0.27 below normal for the year to date. We had measurable rain on 10 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.27 inches on the 26th.. The average snowfall for February was 7.2 inches; this year there was a total of 4.25 inches of measurable snow from two stroms, one on the 4th and one on the 19th.

Sunshine totaled 51% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 1 point more than the average.

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March
March was very warm and wet, with daily averages 5.7 degrees above normal. This was the fifth warmest March in our 74 years of record keeping and the warmest March since 1973. Maximum temperature was 64 degrees on the 26th and a minimum temperature of 21 degrees was recorded on the 19th.

Precipitation totaled 6.60 inches, which was 1.8 inches above normal for the month and 1.53 above normal for the year to date. We had measurable rain on 10 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 3.95 inches on the 11th and 12th. This rainstorm set a new record of largest 24-hour rainfall in March, surpassing the old record of 2.52 inches set in 1956. The average snowfall for March is 6.6 inches; this year there was a total of 2.00 inches of measurable snow on the 17th .

Sunshine totaled 51% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 3 points more than the average.

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April
April was warm and wet, with daily averages 1.1 degrees above normal. Maximum temperature was 65 degrees on the 8th and a minimum temperature of 28 degrees was recorded on the 1st. April began warm and dry, but the last half of the month was very wet, with cool days and mild nights.

Precipitation totaled 7.34 inches, which was 3.06 inches above normal for the month and 4.59 inches above normal for the year to date. We have had 21.51 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, surpassing 1999 by 7.0 inches, but also 6.5 inches below 1998. We had measurable rain on 15 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.20 inches on the 22nd. This rainstorm lasted for 48 hours with a total rainfall of 3.70 inches. The average snowfall for April is 0.1 inches; this year there was a mixture of rain, sleet, ice pellets and snowflakes on the 17th with no accumulation. This is the third year in a row with no measurable snowfall in April. This put the season total snowfall at 13.25 inches, well below the season's average of 27 inches.

Sunshine totaled 37% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 12 points less than the average and the least since 1988 for April.

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May
May was wet, with daily temperatures averaging right at the norm. The maximum temperature was 77 degrees on the 7th and a minimum temperature of 32 degrees was recorded on the 1st. May began warm and dry, but the last half of the month was wet, with cool days and mild nights.

Precipitation totaled 4.74 inches, which was 1.29 inches above normal for the month and 5.88 inches above normal for the year to date. We have had 26.25 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, surpassing 1999 by 7.51 inches, but still 5.97 inches below 1998. We had measurable rain on 10 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.17 inches on the 10th . There was a 48hr rainstorm on the 23rd and 24th with a total rainfall of 1.64 inches.

Sunshine totaled 51% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 1 point less than the average for May.

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June
June had daily temperatures averaging on the warm side, with daytime temperatures averaging cooler then normal and nighttime temperatures averaging warmer. The maximum temperature was 82 degrees on the 10th and a minimum temperature of 48 degrees was recorded on the 4th and 8th.
Precipitation totaled 2.88 inches, which was 0.38 inches below normal for the month, but well above 1999's 0.61 and well under 1998's 8.89 rainfall for June. We have had 29.13 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, which is 5.50 inches above normal. Year to date rainfall also surpasses 1999 by 9.78 inches, but is still 11.98 inches below 1998. We had measurable rain of 0.10 or above on 7 days. One half of the total rainfall for the month came as the largest 24-hour rainfall of 1.39 inches on the 6th and 7th.
Sunshine totaled 54% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 1 point less than the average for June.

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July
July was quite cool and wet, with both day and nighttime temperatures averaging cooler then normal. Daytime temperatures averaged 4.7 degrees F below normal. The maximum temperature was 85 degrees that was recorded both on the 5th and 10th and a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F was recorded on the 21st. The average temperature for the month was 68.4 degrees. This was 2.7 degrees F below normal and was the fourth coolest July in the 74 years we have kept records here in East Wareham. This low temperature is surpassed only by 1926 (67.2 degrees), 1933 (67.8 degrees) and 1962 (67.3 degrees). The last 90-degree or higher temperature recorded here in East Wareham was on Aug. 1, 1999.

Precipitation totaled 3.77 inches, which was 0.89 inches above normal for the month. We have had 32.90 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, which is 6.39 inches above normal. Year to date rainfall also surpasses 1999 by 11.81 inches, but is still 11.15 inches below 1998. We had measurable rain of 0.10 or above on 8 days. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 1.92 inches, which came on the 26th - 27th. The first 10 days of July were dry with no rainfall and only 0.01 inches of rain were recorded for the first 14 days. The last week of July had daily rainfall and was very wet.

Sunshine totaled 53% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 4 points less than the average for June. The final week was very gloomy, with only 9% of possible sunshine.

CROP PROSPECTS

June and July weather was ideal for pollination and the bees have worked very hard this season. The fruit set looks excellent this year. In light of the marketing order, several cranberry bogs have been flooded to destroy crop. Fungicide programs are almost completed while some fruit worm sprays continue.

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August
August was a split month the first half being warm and wet and the last half of the month being cool and dry. Daytime temperatures averaged 3.5 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature was 86 degrees on the 8th and a minimum temperature of 50 degrees was recorded both on the 18th and 21st . The average temperature for the month was 68.9 degrees. This was 0.9 degrees below normal here in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 3.24 inches, which was 1.05 inches below normal for the month. We have had 36.14 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, which is 5.34 inches above normal. Year-to-date rainfall also surpasses 1999 by 10.76 inches, but is still 12.20 inches below 1998. We had measurable rain of 0.10 or above on 12 days. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 0.89 inches, which came on the 14th.

The first 14 days of August were wet with measurable rainfall on 8 days. The last two weeks of August were very dry and sunny. Sunshine totaled 57% at the Blue Hill Observatory. This was 1 point less than the average for August.

CROP PROSPECTS

New England Ag. Statistics released the Cranberry Crop Forecast for 2000. Their predictions are: Massachusetts coming in at 1,825,000 barrels; down 3%, Wisconsin: 2,900,000; down 13%, New Jersey: 550,000 down 20%, Washington: 153,000; up 4 % and Oregon: 410,000; up 28%. Total U.S. - 5,838,000; down 8%.

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September
September had average temperatures and slightly lower than normal rainfall. There was about a 50/50 split on sun and clouds. Temperatures averaged 62.7 degrees for the month, 0.1 degrees below normal. Daytime temperatures averaged 70.8 degrees, 1.9 degrees below normal. The evening temperatures averaged 54.7 degrees, 1.8 degrees above normal. A maximum temperature of 82 degrees was recorded on the 1st and the 9th and a minimum temperature of 40 degrees was recorded on the 29th.

Precipitation totaled 3.02 inches, which was 0.86 inches below normal for the month. We have had 39.16 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, which is 4.52 inches above normal. Year-to-date rainfall also surpassed 1999 by 9.84 inches. We had measurable rain of 0.10 inches or more on 6 days and 6 days with a trace to 0.10 inches. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 0.91 inches, which came on the 20th. This was the remnants of Hurricane Gordon. Remnants of Hurricane Helene passed on the 23rd and 24th, dropping only 0.27 inches of rain fall.

Sunshine totaled 64% at Blue Hill Observatory. This is up 8 points from the average for September.

HARVEST

The harvest activities in September were mostly dry-picking for fresh fruit. The early varieties have had a mixture in size and very good color. Some water harvest began the last week of September, but will be in full swing in October. Two nights in September had temperatures that fell to the point that frost protection was needed in colder locations.

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October
October was a very dry and cool month. Temperatures averaged 52.1 degrees for the month, 0.8 degrees below normal. Daytime temperatures averaged 61.1 degrees, 2.1 degrees below normal. The evening temperatures averaged 43.2 degrees, 0.6 degrees above normal. A maximum temperature of 78 degrees was recorded on the 3rd and a minimum temperature of 33 degrees was recorded both on the 29th and the 30th.

Precipitation totaled 2.66 inches, which was 0.78 inches below normal for the month. We have had 41.82 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, which is 3.74 inches above normal. Year-to-date rainfall also surpasses 1999 by 7.87 inches. We had measurable rain of 0.10 inches or above on 5 days and 2 days with a trace to 0.10 inches. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 1.15 inches, which came on the 31st. Two long dry stretches occurred, one of 8 days (from the 11-18th), and then one of 11 days (from the 20-30th). Snow flurries were noted on the 29th. All four weekends were dry and sunny with great fall colors this year.

Sunshine totaled 56% at Blue Hill Observatory. This is slightly above the average for October.

HARVEST
Harvesting was in full swing during the month of October. Many growers delayed harvest until they had better color. The percentage of bogs that were dry harvested was also up this year. There were a total of 8 frost warnings, with 5 actual frost nights in October. The harvest season went very smoothly due to the nice weather.

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November
November was a very dry and cool month. Temperatures averaged 42.34 degrees for the month, 0.9 degrees below normal. Daytime temperatures averaged 49.1 degrees, 3.9 degrees below normal. The evening temperatures averaged 35.5 degrees, 2.6 degrees above normal. A maximum temperature of 60.0 degrees was recorded on the 4th and a minimum temperature of 13.0 degrees was recorded on the 25th.

Precipitation totaled 3.23 inches, which was 1.37 inches below normal for the month. We have had 45.05 inches of rain to date for the year 2000, which is 2.37 inches above normal. Year-to-date rainfall also surpasses 1999 by 8.05 inches. We had measurable rain of 0.10 inches or above on 8 days and 2 days with a trace to 0.10 inches. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 1.03 inches, which came on the 11st. There was one long dry stretch of 11 days (from the 15-27th). No Snow or flurries were noted this month.

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December
December was quite cool and very sunny. The temperature averaged 29.5 degrees, 2.4 degrees a day below normal. Maximum temperature was 63 degrees on the 17th and a minimum temperature of 7 degrees was recorded on the 10th. This was the fourth warmest temperature recorded here in East Wareham during December. The record high in East Wareham for December was set in 1998 at 70 degrees.

Precipitation totaled 4.06 inches. This is 0.14 inches below normal. We had measurable rain on 9 days. There were two days with snow showers totaling 2.0 inches of snow, 1.5 inches one on the 9th and 0.5 inches on the 22nd. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.62 inches on the 17th.

Sunshine totaled 62% of the possible sunshine hours, 16 points over the norm of 46%. This was the sunniest December since 1989 and the 3rd sunniest on record.

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Year-End Summary
The year 2000 was the second coolest year on record at the Cranberry Station in East Wareham in the past 10 years, averaging 49.6 degrees, just 0.3 degrees above the 30-year average. The average monthly temperature was equal to or below normal for eight months this year. The maximum temperature for the year was 86 degrees on Aug. 8th and the minimum temperature was 2 degrees on Jan. 22nd .

Precipitation totaled 49.11 inches, 2.23 inches above normal. 1972 holds the all-time record with 73.94 inches. The heaviest 30-hour rainfall in 2000 was 3.95 inches during March 11th - 12th. The wettest month was March with 6.60 inches and the driest month was October with 2.66 inches. This first half of the year was warm and wet and the last half of the year was cool and dry.

Sunshine hours for the year were above average (+72 hours). There were five months with low sunshine hours and seven months with above sunshine hours. April - August were the five months with low sunshine hours.

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