BLUE HILL METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY
MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS
ELEVATION 635 FEET, 10 MILES SSW OF BOSTON, MA

DAILY DISCUSSION AND CLIMATE SUMMARY
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2018  
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME

NOR'EASTER LEAVES 15 INCHES OF WET HEAVY SNOW
ON TOP OF GREAT BLUE HILL... 

Rain began yesterday morning and began to mix 
with snow but only a trace was measurable
by the 1:00 P.M. observation yesterday. 
After the sun went down the rain turned over 
to snow and we measures 13.8 inches of 
snowfall at the 7:00 A.M. observation. The 
snow became light mid-morning but we still 
measured another 1.2 ins. during the day for 
a storm total of 15.0 ins. We had a thin glaze
on our instruments on the roof this morning
which melted midday.  
Humidity was 100% until around 10:00 A.M. this
morning, the fog then began to lift, but we 
still had a distant fog with 15 miles of 
visibility at 1:00 P.M. Skies remained overcast
until after the 1:00 P.M. observation, soon 
after the cloud cover began to decrease. 
The wind was moderate today with gusts up to 
30 MPH. The wind shifted mid-morning from the 
NE to the WNW.  

PRELIMINARY STATS FOR FEBRUARY 2018
 
TEMPERATURE, Deg. F
Avg. Max.: 45.1 [+8.3]
Avg. Min.: 27.3 [+8.2]
Mean:      36.2 [+8.3]
24-hour corrected mean: 36.1
Max. for month: 70 on 21st
Min. for month: 4F on  3rd
 
HEATING DEGREE DAYS
Total heating units:  801  [-236] 
Total for the season: 4122 [-446]
Total for last season: 3877

PRECIPITATION, Inches
Total: 4.12 [+0.04]
Greatest in 24 hrs: 0.86 ins. on 10th-11th

SNOWFALL, Inches
Total: 10.2 [-3.7]
Greatest in 24 hrs: 5.8 in. on 17th-18th
 
WIND, mph
Avg. uncorrected wind speed: 12.5
Avg. corrected wind speed: 12.8
Prevailing wind direction: WNW at 18%
Peak gust and direction: 47 WNW on 5th
 
SUNSHINE:
Campbell-Stokes card minutes: 7212 minutes of possible 17148 or 42%
Astronomical total minutes: 7484 minutes of possible 17784 or 42%

BHO Warmest February Daily Maximum Temperature, 
deg F (1885-2017):

1) 71 on 24 Feb 2017
2) 70 on 21 Feb 2018
3) 68 on 24 Feb 1985
   68 on 25 Feb 2017
   68 on 20 Feb 2018
6) 67 on 26 Feb 1957
   67 on 25 Feb 1976
   67 on 23 Feb 2017
9) 66 on 20 Feb 1930
   66 on 19 Feb 1981

BHO Warmest February Daily High Minimum Temperature, 
deg F (1885-2017):

1) 50 on 21 Feb 2018
2) 49 on 20 Feb 1981
3) 48 on 20 Feb 2018
4) 47 on 28 Feb 1910
   47 on 23 Feb 1990
   47 on 24 Feb 2017
7) 46 on 26 Feb 1957
8) 45 on 22 Feb 1954
   45 on 5 Feb 1991
   45 on 21 Feb 2002

BHO Warmest February 24-Hour Adjusted Mean Temperature, 
deg F (1885-2018):

1) 36.1 in 2018
2) 34.9 in 1984
3) 34.3 in 2012
4) 34.0 in 1998
5) 33.9 in 1954
   33.9 in 1981
7) 33.8 in 2017
8) 33.7 in 1976

BHO February Warmest Average Maximum Temperature, 
deg F (1885-2018):

1) 45.1 in 2018
2) 44.0 in 1976
3) 43.5 in 1981
4) 43.2 in 1984
   43.2 in 2017
6) 43.0 in 2012
7) 42.9 in 1954
   42.9 in 2002

BHO February Warmest Average Minimum Temperature, 
deg F (1885-2018):

1) 27.9 in 1998
2) 27.3 in 2018 
3) 27.1 in 1984
4) 26.4 in 2012
5) 26.3 in 1925
6) 26.2 in 1954
7) 25.7 in 1981
8) 25.5 in 1997
   25.5 in 2017
     
Today's Observations:

7 A.M.
Weather: Snow and fog, overcast nimbostratus
Temperature: 29F; Dew Point: 29F; Wind: NNW at 15G23 kts,
Peak Wind: 26 kts ( 30 MPH) NNW at 06:17 A.M.
Sea-level pressure: 29.53 ins. Hg, rising, then more slowly         
Visibility: 1/2 mile 
6-hr Max temp: 31F
6-hr Min temp: 28F
24-hr precip:  2.05 ins.
24-hr snowfall: 13.8 ins.
Snow depth: 14 ins.
BHO SA 1155 E9 OVC 1/2SF 000/29/29/3315G23/953/ NEW SNW 
PST 24 HRS 13.8 INS THN GLZ PK WND 3326/17/ 8/6// 4/014 
51023 MANUAL 70205 ASOS 70253 10031 20028

10 A.M.
Weather: Light snow, overcast nimbostratus, sun dimly visible
Temperature: 31F; Dew Point: 30F; Wind: ENE at 11G19 kts
Sea-level pressure: 29.57 ins. Hg, rising then steady
Visibility: 10 miles, distant fog in all directions 
3-hr precip: 0.08 ins. 
3-hr snowfall: 0.09 ins.    
BHO SA 1455 E12 OVC 10S- 013/31/30/3211G19/957/ NEW 
SNW PST 3 HRS 0.9 INS. SUN DMLY VSBL DSNT FG ALQDS/ 
8/6// 51013 MANUAL 6008/ ASOS 60010

1 P.M.
Weather: Very light snow, scattered stratus fractus, 
overcast nimbostratus, sun dimly visible
Temperature: 32F; Dew Point: 31F; Wind: WNW at 10G20 kts
Sea-level pressure: 29.57 ins. Hg, rising then falling
Visibility: 15 miles 
6-hr Max temp: 32F
6-hr Min temp: 29F
6-hr precip: 0.09 ins.
6-hr snowfall: 1.2 ins.
Snow depth: 13 in.
BHO SA 1755 12 SCT E20 OVC 15S- 013/32/31/2910G20/957/ 
NEW SNW PST 6 HRS 1.2 INS. STORM TOTAL 15.0 INS SUN DMLY 
VSBL DSNT FG ALQDS PCPN VRY LGT/ 8/6// 4/013 50000 MANUAL 
6009/ ASOS 60011 10032 20029  
 
SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018

TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
MAX.....35   NORMAL.....42
MIN.....31   NORMAL.....24
MEAN....33   NORMAL.....33

DEPARTURE FROM 30-YEAR NORMAL.............................0
TOTAL DEPARTURE FOR THE MONTH...........................+35 [+4.5 DEGREES/DAY]

HEATING DEGREE DAYS (SEASON JUL TO JUN)
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR YESTERDAY.............32   DEPARTURE...........0
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE MONTH............197   DEPARTURE.........-35
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE SEASON..........4319   DEPARTURE........-481
TOTAL HEATING UNITS LAST SEASON TO DATE.....4114   DIFFERENCE.......+205

PEAK GUST AND AVERAGE WIND SPEED (MPH) 
PEAK WIND GUST FOR YESTERDAY...................52 ENE AT 5:35 P.M. 
                   AERO........................53 ENE AT 4:10 P.M.
                   ASOS........................54 NE  AT 5:17 P.M.
                   DAVIS.......................49 M   AT 5:17 P.M ** RMY N/A
FASTEST MILE FOR YESTERDAY.....................37 ENE AT 4:58 P.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE ASOS AVERAGE..................37 ENE AT 4:59 P.M.  
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE DAVIS AVERAGE.................33 M   AT 4:58 P.M.**
AVERAGE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION.............18.2 ENE 
                   ASOS......................18.4  
                   DAVIS.....................15.8 ** 
** Davis direction malfunctioning

PRECIPITATION (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL PRECIPITATION 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M....2.05  DEPARTURE......+1.88
                         ASOS..............2.53
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH..........5.67  DEPARTURE......+4.64
                         ASOS..............6.21  
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE YEAR..........15.78  DEPARTURE......+6.33
                         ASOS.............17.06

SNOWFALL (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL SNOWFALL 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M.........13.8  DEPARTURE.......+13.3
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE MONTH...............15.7  DEPARTURE.......+12.1
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON..............60.4  DEPARTURE........+9.7

PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY CALENDAR DAY DATA
DATE: MAX/MIN/MEAN/DEP/PRECIP/SNOW/SUN(MIN.)/SUN(%)/PEAK GUST/AERO/RMY GUST
AERO: Aerovane wind recording system gust
RMY:  R.M. Young wind gust recording system
TSTM: Thunderstorm day (thunder heard some time during day)
....: Data not yet available, records not finalized
M:    Missing data

2/1  45/27/36/+10/0.06/0.0/120/20      36 SSW AERO 35 SSW RMY N/A 
2/2  34/08/21/-5/0.25/2.5/223/37       43 WNW AERO 46 WNW RMY 46 
2/3  25/04/15/-11/0.00/0.0/557/92      26 S   AERO 24 S   RMY 30 
2/4  45/23/34/+8/0.32/T/000/00          31 SSE AERO 29 S   RMY 30
2/5  46/19/33/+7/0.36/0.0/464/76       47 WNW AERO 47 WNW RMY 44
2/6  31/17/24/+2/T/T/025/04            26 SSW AERO 23 SSW RMY 23 
2/7  42/21/32/+5/0.62/1.1/000/00       45 SW  AERO 46 SW  RMY 47
2/8  30/20/25/-2/0.00/0.0/501/81       38 WNW AERO 38 WNW RMY N/A
2/9  30/16/23/-4/0.00/0.0/384/62       28 S   AERO 25 S   RMY N/A
2/10 51/28/40/+13/0.20/0.0/000/00      31 S   AERO 30 S   RMY 31
2/11 46/36/41/+14/0.70/0.0/000/00      24 SW  AERO 21 SW  RMY N/A
2/12 53/27/40/+13/0.00/0.0/132/21      33 WNW AERO 33 WNW RMY N/A
2/13 31/21/26/-2/0.00/0.0/496/79       22 S   AERO 18 WNW RMY 21
2/14 46/25/36/+8/0.00/0.0/234/37       30 S   AERO 26 SSW RMY 29 
2/15 47/35/41/+13/0.02/0.0/000/00      23 SSW AERO 20 SSW RMY N/A
2/16 50/31/41/+13/0.02/0.0/000/00      45 W   AERO 44 W   RMY 42
2/17 38/23/31/+3/0.21/2.0/468/73       33 SSW AERO 29 SSE RMY 33
2/18 42/29/35/+6/0.39/3.8/451/70       32 WNW AERO 29 WNW RMY 34 
2/19 48/30/39/+10/0.09/0.0/518/80      39 SSW AERO 37 SSW RMY 40       
2/20 68/48/58/+29/0.01/0.0/461/71      32 SSW AERO 30 SSW RMY N/A
2/21 70/50/60/+31/0.00/0.0/456/70      32 SW  AERO 30 SW  RMY 33
2/22 53/30/42/+13/0.10/0.8/000/00      30 N   AERO 28 N   RMY N/A 
2/23 41/28/35/+5/0.20/0.0/217/33       34 SW  AERO 20 SW  RMY N/A
2/24 54/35/45/+15/T/0.0/297/45         32 W   AERO 30 W   RMY 29
2/25 39/33/36/+6/0.56/T/000/00         33 ESE AERO 30 ESE RMY 33
2/26 48/35/42/+12/0.00/0.0/213/32      29 WNW AERO 25 WNW RMY 28
2/27 51/29/40/+9/0.00/0.0/669/100      26 WNW AERO 23 WNW RMY 25
2/28 59/37/48/+17/0.01/0.0/571/85      28 SSW AERO 25 SSW RMY 27 

PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MARCH CALENDAR DAY DATA
DATE: MAX/MIN/MEAN/DEP/PRECIP/SNOW/SUN(MIN.)/SUN(%)/PEAK GUST/AERO/RMY GUST
AERO: Aerovane wind recording system gust
RMY:  R.M. Young wind gust recording system
TSTM: Thunderstorm day (thunder heard some time during day)
....: Data not yet available, records not finalized
M:    Missing data

3/01 61/37/49/+18/0.00/0.0/.../..    39 ENE AERO 37 ENE RMY N/A 
3/02 40/32/36/+5/3.47/0.7/000/00     73 NNE AERO 70 NNE RMY N/A
3/03 40/32/26/+4/T/T/.../..          52 NNE AERO 50 NNE RMY 49
3/04 39//34/37/+5/T/T/.../..         36 NNE AERO 32 NNE RMY 32 
3/05 40/29/35/+3/.../1.2/.../..      40 NE  AERO 39 NE  RMY 40
3/06 34/29/32/0/0.00/0.0/.../..      20 N   AERO 16 N   RMY N/A
3/07 35/31/33/0/..../.../000/00      52 ENE AERO 53 ENE RMY 50 

3/08 Low temp since midnight is 28F; normal low is now 24F

DAILY RECORDS FOR MARCH 2018

3/02/18: NEW DAILY RECORD MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION OF 3.47 INS.
         PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 2.15 INS. SET IN 1983

DAILY EXTREMES
Temperature and precipitation records back to 1885, and
wind records back to 1940 (e = estimated):    

RECORDS FOR MARCH 8
HIGH 66 IN 2012
LOW 2 IN 1986
PRECIP 2.20 INS. IN 2008
SNOWFALL 11.5 INS. IN 2013
PEAK GUST 69 MPH SSW IN 2008

RECORDS FOR MARCH 9
HIGH 75 IN 2016
LOW 1 IN 2007
PRECIP 2.67 INS. IN 1998
SNOWFALL 18.0 INS. IN 2013
PEAK GUST 102e MPH S IN 1942 [RECORD FOR MONTH]

TODAY'S REPORT PREPARED BY: Kaitlin Geagan