2008 Weather Summary

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January
January was warm with below average rain and above average snow. The average temperature was 32.0 degrees, 3.3 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 54 degrees on January 9 th and 11th. A minimum temperature of 7.0 degrees was recorded on the 4th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 40.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 24.0 degrees, 3.7 degrees above the norm. Daytime high temperatures were in the 50’s 6 days and only 3 days had high temperatures below 32 degrees. Evening temperatures were below 32 degrees for 23 nights. Only 2 nights had temperatures in the single digits.

Precipitation totaled 2.62 inches. This is 1.96 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 9 days; 3 of those days had less than 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.05 inches on the 11th. We only had measurable snowfall of 0.10 inches or greater on 4 days of the month totaling 13.00 inches, 2.8 inches above average. The largest 24-hour snowfall was 11.0 inches on the 28th of January.

Sunshine totaled 47% of the possible sunshine hours, 1 point above the normal and 2 points below last January.

PERSONNEL

Dr. Hilary Sandler and James O’Connell traveled to Philadelphia, PA to attend the Northeastern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, from January 7th to January 10th.

Dr. Carolyn DeMoranville and Dr. Peter Jeranyama traveled to New Brunswick, NJ to attend the 2008 Northeast Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting, from January 3rd to January 5th.

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Chatsworth, NJ to meet with researchers and discuss future research projects January 8-9. He also traveled to Madison, WI as a guest speaker at the Wisconsin Cranberry School, from January 15th to January 17th.

February

February was warm, wet, and windy with well below average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 33.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 55.0 degrees on the 18th and a minimum temperature of 12.0 degrees was recorded on the 11 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 41.0 degrees, 2.8 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 25.0 degrees, 3.3 degrees above the norm. There were no single digit temperatures recorded in February, yet the evening lows were below 30 degrees all but 5 nights.

Sunshine totaled 43% of the possible sunshine hours, 7 points below the norm. Sunshine has been well above normal in February for the past 3 years.

Precipitation totaled 5.73 inches. This was 2.01 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation on 10 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.72 inches on the 13 th. There were only 2 days with measurable snowfall totaling 3.5 inches, 6.0 inches below normal. The greatest snowfall for one storm came on the 22 nd with 2.0 inches. Year-to-date snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now 28.84 inches.

The official winter in East Wareham (Dec. 2007 - Feb. 2008) has been very wet and warm. The season temperatures averaged 32.7 degrees, 2.8 degrees above normal. The low mark was 7.0 degrees on Jan. 4 th and the high mark was 55 degrees on Dec. 23 rd and Feb. 18 th. The coldest daily high was a bitter 16.0 degrees on Jan. 3 rd. Sunshine was 42%, 6 points below normal. Precipitation totaled 14.46 inches, 2.16 inches above average. Snowfall totaled 28.84 inches, 3.51 inches above normal.

March
March was much like a lion for the first three weeks and then like a lamb the final week when it came to rainfall this year. On the whole, March was warm; very wet and had above average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 38.5 degrees, 1.3 degrees per day below the average. Maximum temperature was 61.0 degrees on the 8 th and a minimum temperature of 21.0 degrees was recorded on the 3 rd. Daytime high temperatures averaged 47.0 degrees, 1.8 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 30.0 degrees, 0.8 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 52% of the possible sunshine hours, 4 points above the norm. Four days had no sunshine, yet six days had over 95% sunshine. Sunshine data are from the Blue Hill Observatory.

Precipitation totaled 5.26 inches. This is 0.70 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation of 0.10 inches or greater rainfall on eight days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.24 inches on the 7 th and 8 th. We have received 13.61 inches of rainfall year to date, totaling 1.21 inches above average for the year to date in East Wareham. We had only one event with measurable snowfall during the month, totaling 0.1 inches. The 2007 – 2008 winter season snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now at 28.94 inches. This will come in as 2.46 inches below the average snowfall in East Wareham.

PERSONNEL

Dr. Hilary Sandler and Dr. Peter Jeranyama traveled to Memphis, TN to attend the CSREES Grantsmanship Workshop, March 9-11th.

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Windsor, CT to meet with Co-PI’s on Sea Grant at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, March 17th.

April
April temperatures and rainfall ran very close to average this year. The temperature averaged 47.0 degrees, 1.1 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 72.0 degrees on the 18 th and 24 th and a minimum temperature of 29.0 degrees was recorded on the 3 rd, 9 th, 15 th, 16 th and 17 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 57.0 degrees, 2.8 degrees above the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 38.0 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 58% of the possible sunshine hours, 8 points above the norm. This is also 18 points above last year. We had 6 days with virtually no sun, and only 9 days had over 90% sunshine.

Precipitation totaled 4.56 inches, which is 0.23 inches above normal. This is 3.57 inches less than April 2007 in East Wareham. We had measurable precipitation on 12 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.96 inches on the 29 th. The highest rainfall in one storm was 2.21 inches, over a two-day period. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 stands at 18.17 inches; this is 1.47 inches above normal and 2.45 inches below the year to date rainfall at this point in 2007. We had a 16-day period with less then 0.1 inches of rain and the dew points were very low, creating several nights of frost conditions on cranberry bogs.

In the past 10 years, we averaged 32.35 inches of snowfall during the winter season. Snowfall recorded during the winter season of 2007-2008 in East Wareham was only 28.94 inches, 3.41 inches below the average.

PERSONNEL

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Washington, DC to participate on the review panel for USDA/CSREES Pest Management Alternative Program, April 19-25.

May
May was cool and dry with slightly above-average sunshine. The temperatures for May averaged 54.0 degrees, 2.3 degrees per day below normal, and 3.0 degrees below last year’s average. The maximum temperature was 74.0 degrees on the 30 th and a minimum temperature of 32.0 degrees was recorded on the 1 st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 63.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 46.0 degrees, 1.7 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 53% of the possible sunshine hours, 1 point above the norm. There were 9 days with 90% or better sunshine and 8 days with no sunshine at all, compared to May 2006 when there were 12 days with no sunshine. There was only 1 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 2.81 inches, there were 13 days having measurable precipitation. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.89 inches on the 9 th - 10 th. Our total year-to-date rainfall is 20.98 inches, 0.68 inches above the average in East Wareham, and 2.63 inches below the amount measured at this point last year.

The official spring (March-May) had very average temperatures and rainfall, with above-average sunshine. Temperatures averaged right at normal (46.5 degrees), with average rainfall (4.1 inches) and 5.7 inches below-average snowfall, only receiving 0.10 inches total snowfall for this period. Sunshine was well above normal, with all three months having above normal sunshine.

June
June was dry, with above average temperatures and below average sunshine. The temperature averaged 68.5 degrees, 2.9 degrees above normal. Maximum temperature was 90.0 degrees on the 9 th and 10 th, a minimum temperature of 51.0 degrees was recorded on the 6 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 77.0 degrees, 3.4 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 60.0 degrees, 2.5 degrees above the norm. This was the fourth warmest June recorded in East Wareham, surpassed only by 1957, 1998, and 2001. There was an early four-day heat wave for much of the region during June 8 th – 11 th.

Sunshine totaled 52% of the possible sunshine hours, 3 points below the norm. We had 6 days with 90% of possible sunshine in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 2.87 inches, which is 0.63 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 11 days, but only 5 days had measurable precipitation greater than 0.10 inches. There were three thunder storms during the month. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.13 inches on the 24 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 23.85 inches, 0.05 inches above average for East Wareham and 1.53 inches less than 2007.

PERSONNEL

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Vancouver, BC from June 22nd to June 28th to present a paper at the 5th International Weed Science Congress.

July
July had warm temperatures with above average rainfall and sunshine. The temperature averaged 74.0 degrees, 2.1 degrees above average. Maximum temperature was 92.0 degrees, recorded on the 19 th, and a minimum temperature of 60.0 degrees was recorded on the 11 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 82.0 degrees, 2.4 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 66.0 degrees, 1.9 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 61% of the possible sunshine hours, 4 points above average. We did however have 4 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 4.11 inches; this is 0.91 inches above normal. Rainfall was recorded on 8 days, and only five of these days had measurable precipitation over 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall of 2.94 inches occurred on the 24 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 27.96 inches, 0.96 inches above average for East Wareham. Thunder storms were recorded on two days, with many storms passing to our north.

PERSONNEL

Dr. DeMoranville, Dr. Caruso, Dr. Sandler, and Dr. Jeranyama traveled to Corvallis, OR to attend and present papers at the 2008 International Vaccinium Symposium, from July 13th to July 18th.

Dr. Sandler traveled to Georgetown , DE to attend the Executive Committee meeting for the Northeast Weed Science Society and participate in the Annual Weed Science Contest, from July 29th to July 31st.

August

August had below-average temperatures with lots of sunshine; it was extremely dry. The temperature averaged 69.0 degrees, 1.7 degrees per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 86.0 degrees on the 2 nd and a minimum temperature of 51.0 degrees was recorded on the 20 th and the 21 st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 79.0 degrees, 0.6 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 60.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 63% of the possible sunshine hours, 5 points above the norm. We had 17 mostly clear days, 7 partly cloudy days, and 7 cloudy days. We also had 1 day with heavy morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 2.85 inches, 1.05 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 12 days, and of those 12 days, only 6 had measurable rainfall of 0.10 inches or more. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.52 inches on the 11 th and 12 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 30.81 inches, 0.09 inches below the yearly average for East Wareham and 0.56 inches above last year at this time. In the last 15 days of August there was less then a 0.5 inch of rainfall.

OFFICIAL SUMMER SEASON

The official summer (June, July and August) averaged 70.5 degrees, 1.1 degrees above the 30-year average. The summer was somewhat dry, 0.77 inches below normal precipitation (due to the dry June and August). Sunshine was 59% of possible hours, 3 points over the average (due to the very sunny August). We had a maximum temperature of 92 degrees recorded on the July 19 th and a minimum temperature of 51 degrees recorded on June 6 th and August 20 th and 21 st. Typically, our region averages 4 days of 90 degrees or higher, this year we had 4 days with 90+ degrees, 2 days in June and 2 days in July. Rainfall totaled 9.83 inches for the season. There was an unusual number of thunderstorms and hail around the region this summer.

2008 CROP FORECAST

New England Agricultural Statistics Service gave the United States forecast for the 2008 cranberry crop on August 19 th in Wareham , MA . This year’s forecast is for 6.89 million barrels, up 5 percent from 2007 and slightly above 2006. Massachusetts ’ cranberry crop is forecasted to reach 1.90 million barrels, up 5 percent from 2007. This is the highest production level since 1999. New Jersey ’s forecast is for 500,000 barrels (down from 2007), Oregon : 490,000 barrels (down from 2007), Washington : 145,000 barrels (down from 2007), and Wisconsin : 3.85 million barrels (up from 2007). The pollination conditions during late June and into the mouth of July were good. Growers experienced an average bloom and set conditions for this year’s crop, and the berry size was rated as medium as of early August.

September
September was extremely wet with near average temperatures and sunshine. The temperature averaged 63.5 degrees, 0.5 degrees per day above normal. Maximum temperature was 83.0 degrees on the 7 th; a minimum temperature of 41.0 degrees was recorded on the 24 th and 25 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 71.4 degrees, which is the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 55.0 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 54% of the possible sunshine hours, 2 points below the norm. We had 17 mostly clear days, of which 5 days had 97% or better sunshine and 13 cloudy days. There were 2 days with morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 9.83 inches, 5.93 inches above normal. This was the highest rainfall for September since 1996 and the fourth wettest September in the past 80 years. There were 11 days with measurable rain. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 4.01 inches on the 28 th. This being part of a 3-day rain event totaling 6.66 inches of rain. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 40.64 inches, 5.84 inches above average for East Wareham and 9.07 inches above 2007 total rainfall at the same time last year.

October
October was sunny, cool and dry. The temperature averaged 51.0 degrees, 1.3 degree per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 73.0 degrees on the 9th; a minimum temperature of 27.0 degrees was recorded on the 31st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 61.0 degrees, 0.3 degrees below the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 42.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below the norm.

During the last 10 days of the month there were three days of very high winds. Wind gusts were 30 mph or higher, with top wind gusts of 48 mph on the 28th.

Sunshine totaled 61% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points above the norm. We had 12 mostly clear days and only 1 day with morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 2.37 inches, 1.43 inches below the 30-year average. Measurable rain was recorded on 7 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.99 inches on the 25th – 26th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 43.01 inches, 4.41 inches above average for East Wareham and 8.18 inches above 2007. There was no reported snowfall in Southeast New England this month.

PERSONNEL

Dr. Peter Jeranyama traveled to Houston , TX from October 4, 2008 to October 8, 2008 to attend the Agronomy Society of America-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America joint meeting with Geological Society of America.

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Newport , RI from October 8th – 10th to attend the Northeast Division American Phytopathological Society Meeting.

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Baltimore , MD from October 15th – 17th to attend the Northeastern Weed Science Society Executive Committee Meeting.

November

November was a cold, sunny and wet month. The temperature averaged 42.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below normal, the same as in 2007. Maximum temperature was 70.0 degrees on the 1 st and the 4 th; a minimum temperature of 19.0 degrees was recorded on the 21 st and the 24 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 51.0 degrees, 0.4 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 34.0 degrees, 1.0 degrees below the norm.

Precipitation totaled 5.68 inches, 1.28 inches above normal. We had 10 rain events spread out evenly during the month. Measurable rain, of 0.10 inches or more, was recorded on 9 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.96 inches on the 25 th, with a 30-hour total of 3.01inches. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 48.69 inches, 5.69 inches above the year-to-date average for East Wareham . This is 8.92 inches above November 2007 year-to-date and 3.16 inches below November 2006 year-to-date average for East Wareham . We had no snowfall for the month of November in East Wareham . The average snowfall for November in East Wareham is 1.2 inches.

Sunshine totaled 48% of the possible, 1 point above average. There were 2 days with 98% sunshine.

The official fall season Sept – Nov. 2008 was very wet, sunny with slightly below average temperatures. Temperatures averaged 52.2 degrees, 0.6 degrees below normal. A maximum temperature of 83 degrees was recorded on the 7 th of September and a minimum temperature of 19.0 degrees was recorded on the 21 st and 24 th of November. Rainfall totaled 17.88 inches, 5.41 inches above normal and 8.36 inches above the fall season of 2007. Average snowfall for the fall season for East Wareham is 1.2 inches; we have not received any measurable snow this season. Sunshine was just 6 points above normal.

December

December was warm, very wet, cloudy and snowy.  The temperature averaged 35.0 degrees, 1.1 degrees above normal.  Maximum temperature was 58.0 degrees on the 10th;  a minimum temperature of 8.0 degrees was recorded on the 31st.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 44.0 degrees, 1.9 degrees above the norm. This is 3.0 degrees warmer than December 2007.   Evening temperatures averaged 26.0 degrees, 0.3 degrees above the norm.   

Precipitation totaled 6.75 inches, 2.26 inches above normal.  We had 13 rain events spread out evenly during the month.  Measurable rain of 0.10 or more was recorded on 11 days.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.97 inches on the 11th.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 was 55.44 inches, 8.14 inches above the average for East Wareham and 9.56 inches above 2007 total rainfall.  We also had 4 days with measurable snow, totaling 14.5 inches for the month, 9.7 inches above normal.  The largest snowfall was on December 19th with 10.5 inches.  This set a new record for the highest daily total snowfall in December, surpassing the 2007 record of 8.6 inches and the 1987 record of 8.0 inches.  We ended the month with a snow storm which continued into January 1, 2009.

Sunshine for the month totaled 39% of possible, 7 points below normal.

Year-End Summary

The year 2008 was just slightly above normal temperatures with well-above average rainfall and above-average sunshine.  Temperatures averaged 50.4 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the 30-year average in East Wareham.  The average monthly temperature was above normal for 7 of the 12 months of the year.  The maximum temperature for the year was recorded on July 19th at 92 degrees.  The minimum temperature of 7.0 degrees was recorded on January 27th.  The year started with above average snowfall in January and ended the year with above average snowfall in December. 

The official winter of 2007 - 2008 had above average temperatures and rainfall.  Sunshine was 6 points below normal.  Snowfall for the winter of 2007 – 2008 in East Wareham was 28.84 inches, 3.51 inches above normal.  The official 2008 spring had average temperatures and rainfall with well above average sunshine hours and below average snowfall.  The official summer of 2008 was about average in temperature and sunshine with low rainfall.  We had an unusual number of thunderstorms and hail around the region during the summer.  The official fall season for 2008 was cool, wet and sunny. 

By the year’s end, precipitation totaled 55.44 inches, 8.14 inches above normal.  September was the wettest month with 9.83 inches of rainfall.  The driest month was October with 2.37 inches of rain.  December had the most snowfall in 2008, with 14.5 inches in just 3 storms.  We also set a new record for highest daily total snowfall in December (10.5 inches), surpassing 2007 record of 8.6 inches and 1987 record of 8.0 inches.

Sunshine hours for the year totaled 52%.  There were only four months with low sunshine hours and eight months with above sunshine hours.  August was the sunniest month at 63% and December had the lowest sunshine at 39%.
Overall, we started 2008 very warm and wet with below-average snowfall.  The weather was characterized by being warm, sunny and wet.  The year ended with lots of clouds, very wet conditions and well above average snowfall.

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