February 2019 Summary – Warmer and Drier Than Average

Blue Hill Observatory

February 2019 Summary:

February was warmer and slightly drier than average with below average snowfall. The 24-hour adjusted mean temperature for the month of 29.2 deg F was 2.8 degrees warmer than the 120-year average for February and just a tenth degree warmer than the 1981-2010 30-year average due to the strong upward trend in February temperature. The average maximum temperature of 37.3 deg F was a half degree warmer than normal, and the average minimum temperature of 21.6 deg F was two and a half degrees above normal. The highest temperature for the month was 62F on the 5th, and the lowest temperature was 5F on the 1st. Precipitation totaled of 3.61 inches during February, which was about a third of an inch less than the long-term 120-year average and about a half inch less than the 30-year mean. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 1.14 inches during a snow storm that turned to rain on the 12th-13th. February snowfall totaled 12.1 inches, which was four inches less than the long-term mean and two inches less than the 30-year normal. The most frozen precipitation in 24 hours was 4.7 inches during the storm on the 17th-18th. There were several snowfalls during the month, though all were small to moderate events. The mean wind speed was 13.3 mph, and the prevailing direction was from the WNW. A peak gust of 66 mph from the west occurred after rain ended on the 25th. February had above average sunshine, with 152.2 hours of bright sunshine, or 53 percent of possible, which was three percent more than the long-term mean of 50 percent.

Mike Iacono
Chief Scientist
Blue Hill Observatory