Blue Hill Observatory Rotch Memorial Monument
Pictured here is the monument near the Observatory that was originally erected in 1912 in honor of the Observatory’s founder, Abbott Lawrence Rotch. It was later etched with a summary of the climate means and extremes that were recorded during the Observatory’s first century (1885-1984). This page lists the climate records on the monument that have been replaced since that time.
An inscription on the back of the monument reads: “In memory of Abbot Lawrence Rotch, founder and director of the Blue Hill Observatory, pioneer in the study of the upper air, a life devoted to science for the good of mankind”.
This table lists the climate statistics on the monument that have changed since 1985 and the previous values:
| 1885-2021 | 1885-1984 | |
| Average Temperature: | 47.7 degree F | 47.1 degree F |
| Average Precipitation: | 49.05 inches | 47.44 inches |
| Precipitation, Monthly Maximum: | 18.81 inches, March 2010 |
18.78 inches, August 1955 |
| Precipitation, Annual Maximum: | 71.00 inches, 1998 |
65.51 inches, 1972 |
| Average Seasonal Snowfall: | 62.0 inches | 60.1 inches |
| Snowfall, 24-hour Maximum: | 29.0 inches, Mar 31 – Apr 1, 1997 |
28.2 inches, February 24-25, 1969 |
| Snowfall, Monthly Maximum: | 83.6 inches, February 2015 |
65.4 inches, February 1969 |
| Snowfall, Seasonal Maximum: | 150.8 inches, 2014-2015 |
136.0 inches, 1947-1948 |
| Greatest Snow Depth on the Ground: | 46 inches, February 15, 2015 |
42 inches, January 25, 1948 [and 43 inches, March 4, 1969] |
| Lowest Atmospheric Pressure (MSL): | 28.42 inches, 962.4 mb, March 4, 1971 |
28.43 inches, 962.8 mb, March 7, 1932 |
| Average Wind Speed and Direction: | 14.7 mph, W | 15.4 mph, W |
