Wednesday, January 4, 2023

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST)
SUNRISE: 0714E
SUNSET:  1625E

FOGGY WITH LIGHT WIND FOLLOWING SOME DECENT OVERNIGHT
RAINFALL….

Today we observed overcast skies with an overnight rain total
of 0.65 inches. Hopefully we get some more rain and snow this
year as 2022 sorely underperformed.

The wind is light and variable for the most part. The average
speed has been under 5 mph so far. The gust is negligible,
around 10 mph this morning.

Visibility has of course been limited by fog, generally under
a mile most of the day.

The high so far today is 43F, which is 7 degrees above the
normal maximum of 36F. The low since midnight is 37F, which
is 17 degrees above the normal minimum of 20F.

Here are some interesting annual rankings for 2022 compiled
by our Chief Scientist, Mike Iacono. In essence the year
2022 was warm, dry, and fairly sunny here at Blue Hill!

BHO Warmest Annual Adjusted Mean Temperature, deg F (1885-2022):

1) 51.7 in 2012
2) 51.3 in 2020
3) 51.2 in 2016
4) 51.1 in 2022
5) 51.0 in 2010
6) 50.9 in 1999
50.9 in 2021
8) 50.8 in 1998
9) 50.6 in 2006
10) 50.5 in 1953

BHO Warmest Annual Average Maximum Temperature, deg F (1885-2022):

1) 60.9 in 2022
2) 60.8 in 2012
3) 60.6 in 2016
4) 60.5 in 1949
5) 60.4 in 2020

BHO Highest Annual Bright Sunshine, hours (1886-2022):

1) 2583.4 in 1965 (60%)
2) 2554.2 in 1963 (59%)
3) 2527.1 in 1966 (59%)
4) 2520.2 in 1964 (59%)
5) 2512.4 in 2022 (58%)
6) 2497.1 in 1978 (58%)
7) 2494.1 in 2001 (58%)
8) 2493.8 in 1976 (58%)
9) 2476.3 in 1899 (58%)
10) 2475.7 in 1908 (58%)

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PRELIMINARY STATS FOR DECEMBER 2022

TEMPERATURE, Deg. F
Avg. Max. 41.7 [+1.5] Avg. Min. 27.0 [+2.1] Mean      34.4 [+1.9] 24-hour corrected mean: 34.1
Max. for month: 63F on the 30th
Min. for month:  6F on the 24th

HEATING DEGREE DAYS
Total heating units:    941 [-065] Total for the season:  1910 [-300] Total for last season: 1886

COOLING DEGREE DAYS
Total cooling units:      0 [ 000] Total for the season:   889 [+212] Total for last season:  717

PRECIPITATION, Inches
Total: 5.91 [+0.52] Greatest in 24 hrs: 1.88 on the 16th

SNOWFALL, Inches
Total: 2.7 [-9.9] Greatest in 24 hrs: 2.1 on the 11th

WIND, mph
Avg. uncorrected wind speed: 13.9 mph
Avg. corrected wind speed:   14.1 mph
Prevailing wind direction:   WSW [13%] Peak gust and direction:  74 SE on the 23rd

SUNSHINE:
Campbell-Stokes card minutes: 8820 of a possible 16470, or 54%
Astronomical total minutes: 9112 of a possible 17001, or 54%

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Today’s Observations:

7 A.M.
Weather: Sky obscured, 200 ft vertical visibility
Temperature: 38F; Dew Point: 38F; Relative Humidity: 100%
Wind: NE @ 4 kts
Sea-level pressure: 1011.0 mb; 29.85 in. Hg: rising, then more
rapidly
Visibility: 1/16th mile, fog
6-hr Max temp: 38F
6-hr Min temp: 37F
24-hr Precip:  0.00 ins.
24-hr Snowfall: 0.0 ins.
Snow Depth: 0 ins.
BHO SA 1155 X W2 1/16F 110/38/38/0404/985/ WND L/V/ 8////
53018 70065 10038 20037

10 A.M.
Weather: Sky obscured, 200 ft vertical visibility
Temperature: 39F; Dew Point: 39F; Relative Humidity: 100%
Wind: N @ 5 kts, wind light
Sea-level pressure: 1013.8 mb; 29.94 in. Hg: rising unsteadily
Visibility: 1/16 mile, fog
3-hr Precip:  0.00 ins.
3-hr Snowfall: 0.0 ins.
BHO SA 1455 X W2 1/16F 138/39/39/0105/994/ WND LGT/ 8//// 52028

1 P.M.
Weather: Overcast stratus
Temperature: 42F; Dew Point: 42F; Relative Humidity: 100%
Wind: NNW @ 2 kts, light and variable
Sea-level pressure: 1013.0 mb; 29.92 in. Hg: rising then falling
Visibility: 1 mile, fog
6-hr Max temp: 43F
6-hr Min temp: 37F
24-hr Precip:  0.00 ins.
24-hr Snowfall: 0.0 ins.
Snow Depth: 0 ins.
BHO SA 1755 1F 130/42/42/3402/992/ WND L/V/ 8/6// 55008 10043 20037

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SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023

TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
MAX…….48   NORMAL…..36
MIN…….37   NORMAL…..20
MEAN……43   NORMAL…..28

DEPARTURE FROM 30-YEAR (1991-2020) NORMAL…….+15
TOTAL DEPARTURE FOR THE MONTH……………….+45 [+14.8 DEGREES/DAY]

HEATING DEGREE DAYS (SEASON: JUL 2022 THRU JUN 2023)
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR YESTERDAY……………22  DEPARTURE…….-15
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE MONTH……………65  DEPARTURE…….-45
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE SEASON…………1975  DEPARTURE……-345
TOTAL HEATING UNITS LAST SEASON TO DATE…….1971  DEPARTURE……..+4

PEAK WIND GUST (MPH):
Official (1-Sec AVG)…….23 S   @ 10:26 A.M.
VECTOR #2 (Instantaneous)..23     @ 10:26 A.M.
DAVIS #2 ………………26 S   @  9:44 A.M.
RMY #2 (Instantaneous)…..24 S   @ 10:26 A.M.
VECTOR #1……OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
DAVIS #1…….OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
RMY #1………OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
MERLIN………OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS

FASTEST MILE:
CONTACTING ANEMOMETER/OFFICIAL………………16 SSE @  7:48 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE VECTOR #2 AVERAGE…………..16     @ 10:27 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE DAVIS #2 AVERAGE……………16 SSE @  7:48 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE RMY #2 AVERAGE……………..16 S   @ 10:27 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE DAVIS #1 AVERAGE….OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE VECTOR #1 AVERAGE…OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE RMY #1 AVERAGE……OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS

AVERAGE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION:
CONTACTING/OFFICIAL…….8.5 SSE [204 total miles] VECTOR #2……………..9.2
DAVIS #2………………N/A
RMY #2………………..9.3 S
RMY #1……….OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
VECTOR #1…….OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS
DAVIS #1……..OUT OF SERVICE D/T RENOVATIONS

PRECIPITATION (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST):
TOTAL PRECIPITATION 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M……..0.65 DEPARTURE…..+0.50
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH…………..0.69 DEPARTURE…..+0.23
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE YEAR……………0.69 DEPARTURE…..+0.23

SNOWFALL (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST):
TOTAL SNOWFALL 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M…………..0.0 DEPARTURE……-0.5
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE MONTH………………..0.0 DEPARTURE……-1.6
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON (2022-2023)…….2.7 DEPARTURE…..-14.0

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PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR DECEMBER 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

12/1  40/30/35/-2/0.00/0.0/520/93         54 NW   AERO N/A    RMY 60
12/2  44/27/36/-1/0.00/0.0/535/96         24 SSW  AERO N/A    RMY 25
12/3  57/36/47/+11/0.31/0.0/000/00        54 SSW  AERO N/A    RMY 57
12/4  41/30/36/0/0.00/0.0/355/64          39 WNW  AERO N/A    RMY 41
12/5  48/29/39/+3/0.00/0.0/454/82         32 SSW  AERO N/A    RMY 32
12/6  54/38/46/+11/0.09/0.0/000/00        30 SSE  AERO N/A    RMY 31
12/7  56/46/51/+16/0.85/0.0/000/00        39 SSE  AERO N/A    RMY 39
12/8  53/33/43/+8/0.00/0.0/534/97         36 NNW  AERO N/A    RMY 39
12/9  44/29/37/+3/0.00/0.0/549/100        29 N    AERO N/A    RMY 30
12/10 31/27/29/-5/0.04/0.4/000/00         27 NE   AERO N/A    RMY 26
12/11 30/23/27/-7/0.15/2.1/000/00         25 NNE  AERO N/A    RMY 26
12/12 29/21/25/-9/T/T/395/72              24 N    AERO N/A    RMY 24
12/13 38/19/29/-4/0.00/0.0/547/100        38 NNW  AERO N/A    RMY 38
12/14 35/18/27/-6/T/0.1/546/100           42 NNW  AERO N/A    RMY 44
12/15 40/30/35/+2/0.09/0.0/000/00         40 E    AERO N/A    RMY 41
12/16 42/39/41/+9/1.88/0.0/000/00         47 E    AERO N/A    RMY 48
12/17 42/31/37/+5/0.45/0.1/044/08         37 WNW  AERO N/A    RMY 38
12/18 39/27/33/+1/0.00/0.0/365/67         29 NW   AERO N/A    RMY 28
12/19 39/25/32/0/0.00/0.0/469/86          41 WNW  AERO N/A    RMY 41
12/20 38/25/32/+1/0.00/0.0/544/100        34 NW   AERO N/A    RMY 35
12/21 37/22/30/-1/0.00/0.0/496/91         17 N    AERO N/A    RMY 17
12/22 43/28/36/+5/0.28/0.0/038/07         44 E    AERO N/A    RMY 45
12/23 55/15/35/+4/1.37/T/000/00           74 SE   AERO N/A    RMY 74
12/24 17/6/12/-18/0.00/0.0/529/97         37 WSW  AERO N/A    RMY 39
12/25 25/9/17/-13/0.00/0.0/540/99         29 WSW  AERO N/A    RMY 31
12/26 32/15/24/-6/0.00/0.0/519/95         23 WSW  AERO N/A    RMY 23
12/27 34/22/28/-2/0.00/0.0/246/45         23 WNW  AERO N/A    RMY 22
12/28 40/22/31/+2/0.00/0.0/071/13         35 SSW  AERO N/A    RMY 36
12/29 54/33/44/+15/0.00/0.0/421/77        27 SW   AERO N/A    RMY 28
12/30 63/39/51/+22/0.00/0.0/395/72        26 SSW  AERO N/A    RMY 28
12/31 54/43/49/+20/0.40/0.0/000/00        29 WSW  AERO N/A    RMY 30

DAILY RECORDS

12/16/2022: NEW RECORD PRECIPITATION AMOUNT OF 1.88 INS,
THIS BEATS THE OLD RECORD OF 1.67 INS SET IN 1960

12/23/2022: NEW RECORD PEAK GUST OF 74 MPH SE,
BEATING THE OLD RECORD OF 67 MPH SSE IN 2004

12/30/2022: NEW RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 63F DEGREES,
BEATING THE OLD RECORD OF 60F DEGREES SET IN 1984

PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR JANUARY CALENDAR DAY DATA
DATE: MAX/MIN/MEAN/DEP/PRECIP/SNOW/SUN(MIN)/SUN(%)/PEAK GUST/VEC1/RMY GUST
VEC1: Vector #1 1-second gust
RMY:  R.M. Young wind gust recording system (Instantaneous)
TSTM: Thunderstorm day (thunder heard some time during day)
….: Data not yet available, records not finalized
M:    Missing data

1/1   53/38/46/+17/0.04/0.0/…/..        39 WNW  VEC1 N/A    RMY 60
1/2   49/33/41/+13/0.00/0.0/…/..        39 WNW  VEC1 N/A    RMY 39
1/3   48/37/43/+15/…./0.0/…/..        23 S    VEC1 N/A    RMY 24

1/4 The low since midnight is 37F, the daily normal low is 20F

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

RECORDS FOR JANUARY 4
HIGH 60F IN 2000
LOW -8F IN 1904, 1981
PRECIP 1.79 INS. IN 1982
SNOW 16.5 INS. IN 2018
PEAK GUST 84 MPH S IN 1982

RECORDS FOR JANUARY 5
HIGH 61F IN 2007
LOW -9F IN 1981
PRECIP 1.15 INS. IN 2019
SNOW 4.5 INS. IN 1891
PEAK GUST 70 MPH WNW IN 1959

TODAY’S REPORT PREPARED BY: Benjamin Turner