April 2016 Summary – 7th Snowiest on Record
Blue Hill Observatory
April 2016 Summary:
The month was notable for being near average for temperature and precipitation, though it was very cold and snowy during the first week. The 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 45.5 deg F was 0.8 degrees warmer than the 120-year average for April and 0.8 degrees colder than the 1981-2010 30-year average. The highest temperature for the month was 80F on the 22nd, and the low temperature of 19F on the 5th occurred during a four-day period of cold and snow on the 3rd-6th. The high temperature of 28F on the 4th set a new record low maximum temperature for the date, surpassing the previous record of 32F in 1896, 1908 and 1975. This reading also tied for the third coldest April maximum temperature on any day of the month. April precipitation was close to average with a total of 4.36 inches, which was slightly more than the long-term 120-year average and slightly less than the 30-year mean. The monthly snowfall was 15.0 inches, which was about a foot more than average, and the month was the 7th snowiest April on record. The mean wind speed was 12.4 mph, which tied for the third slowest for April, with a prevailing direction from the south. Two peak gusts to 53 mph were observed from the south-southeast on the 7th and from the south on the 12th. April sunshine was well above average with 60 percent of the possible bright sunshine being observed, which was 11 percent more than the long-term average.
BHO Lowest April Daily Maximum Temperature, deg F (1885-2016):
1) 21 on 7 April 1982
2) 27 on 1 April 1923
3) 28 on 6 April 1982
28 on 4 April 2016
5) 29 on 2 April 1911
6) 30 on 5 April 1995
BHO Greatest April Snowfall, inches (1886-2016):
1) 24.2 in 1996
2) 21.5 in 1894
3) 19.0 in 1887
4) 16.2 in 1916
5) 15.4 in 1907
6) 15.1 in 1997
7) 15.0 in 2016
8) 14.0 in 1982
9) 13.5 in 1987
BHO Slowest April Wind Speed, mph (1885-2016):
1) 12.0 on 2008
2) 12.3 in 2010
3) 12.4 on 2001
12.4 on 2016
5) 12.7 on 1998
6) 12.8 on 1986
Mike Iacono
Chief Scientist
Blue Hill Observatory
