PREVIOUS WEATHER REPORTS

Thunderstorms Galore

By Russell Russ

June was about average temperature-wise and above average for precipitation. No records were set this month for either temperature or precipitation. It was not really a good month for gardens and definitely not good for trying to get hay out of the fields. Last June was great for growers, but this year was a bit of a struggle.

The month’s low temperature of 43 degrees was observed on June 4 and the high temperature of 87 degrees was observed on both June 1 and 8. The average mean temperature was 64.2 degrees, 0.9 degree above normal. It was not as warm as last year, but was still much warmer than June 2009. On a historical note, the highest temperature ever recorded at the weather station was 101 degrees recorded on June 29, 1933.

The total precipitation for the month was 7.39 inches, 2.64 inches above normal. There were nine thunderstorms observed at the weather station this month. Hail was observed three times, twice in one day.

Strong thunderstorms just over the Massachusetts border during the late afternoon of June 1 produced several tornadoes in the Springfield area. The strongest storm formed near Canaan, went just north of Norfolk, and really strengthened over central Massachusetts. It is unusual to have such strong tornadoes in New England.

A thunderstorm during the afternoon of June 9 produced some of the largest hail that has been recorded in many years here in Norfolk. Hailstones up to one and a half inches in diameter, or ping pong ball size as the National weather Service categorizes them, were observed in numerous locations in town, including at the weather station. Wind damage associated with this storm knocked the power out in several locations around town. Many other towns experienced wind damage which delayed the power company’s response time for Norfolk repairs.

Through June this year, the total precipitation amount was 33.02 inches. This is 7.43 inches above normal. We are still doing very well in the groundwater department.

A Cloudy May

By Russell Russ

In late April it seemed that we turned the tide and finally entered early summer, but most of May was similar to most of April with cool and cloudy weather. It was difficult to get more than one nice day in a row during most of the month. Was the cool weather ever going to break? It finally did during the later half of the month and we warmed up and cleared out a little.

The month’s low temperature of 37 degrees was observed on both May 1 and 2. The high temperature of 84 degrees was observed on May 27. May seemed cooler than normal, and remained so for most of the month, but it actually ended up being just a little above normal. The average mean temperature this month was 57.3 degrees, 2.7 degrees above the May normal. The warmest May on record was in 1991 with an average mean temperature of 59.7 degrees.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 4.29 inches, just 0.05 inches below normal. A majority of the month’s rain fell between May 16 and May 21. It was our first month with below normal precipitation (just barely) since January. For the 2010 calendar year, through May, the total precipitation amount was 25.63 inches, 4.79 inches above normal. There were four thunderstorms, including one that occurred during the morning of Memorial Day. This unfortunately resulted in Norfolk’s annual Memorial Day Parade being held without any marching bands. The storm passed and the rain had stopped by 9 a.m., but by then it was too late.

There was not even a trace of snowfall this month. This is a little unusual, but not unheard of. May’s average snowfall amount is 0.4 inches. For the calendar year, through May, the total snowfall amount was 81.0 inches, 15.0 inches above normal. A final look at the 2010-11 winter season snowfall amount shows that Norfolk recorded 98.4 inches from November through April. This is 7.6 inches above normal. January alone added 50.0 inches to these totals. It is a bit hard to believe, but the last time we saw more than about three inches of snowfall was way back in early February.

Winter comes to a close

By Russell Russ

April was our third consecutive month with above average precipitation totals. It sure seemed wet, cloudy and cool for most of the month. Where was spring this year? We finally started to get a taste of it near the end of the month. It took a while, but the long, cool grasp of winter finally let go.

The month’s low temperature of 25 degrees was observed on April 9. The high temperature of 82 degrees was observed on April 26. The high temperature of 82 on April 26 tied the 2009 record high for that. The average mean temperature this month was 45.8 degrees, 2.8 degrees above normal. April 2010 was Norfolk’s warmest April on record, but this year it was just a little above normal.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 6.22 inches, 1.92 inches above normal. There was some form of precipitation recorded on twenty-one of the thirty days this month and most of it was in the form of rain. Thunderstorms were observed on April 26 and 28, but the heaviest rains came without thunder on April 16 and 17 when 2.59 inches fell in nearly 12 hours. There was 3.7 inches of snowfall during the month, 2.5 inches below normal. It is unusual, but not unheard of, to have no snow at all during the month of April.

The snowfall total for this winter season, October through April, is now at 98.4 inches, 8 inches above normal. As is fairly typical for Norfolk, the snowiest months were December, January and February. March was a bit of a disappointment with regards to snowfall this year. Had it not been for January being 29 inches above normal we would have been back to our usual below normal for snowfall that we have been recording regularly over that last ten to fifteen years. For the calendar year through one third of 2011 the snowfall total of 81 inches is 15.4 inches above normal.

Although many locations lost a continuous snow cover by the middle of March, at the station there was snow on the ground up to April 10. Many small ponds lost their ice early in the month, but Tobey Pond and Wangum Lake held on until April 12. Over the previous two years we lost our snow cover and pond ice by mid to late March. Old Man Winter held on a little longer this year.

Winter holding on

By Russell Russ

The month’s low temperature of 5 degrees was observed on March 3. The high temperature of 61 degrees was observed on March 18. No temperature records were set this month. The average mean temperature was 31.3 degrees, 0.7 degree above normal. Last year was Norfolk’s third warmest March on record and five of our ten warmest Marches have occurred since 1995, but this year was just about normal as far as temperatures go.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 6.80 inches, 2.29 inches above normal. It was the eleventh wettest March in the last 80 years. The wettest March was in 1953 when 10.37 inches were measured. This March may have been a wet one, but last year was even wetter. Last March with 7.51 inches was the sixth wettest March on record.

March’s snowfall total was only 4.9 inches, 13.2 inches below normal. It was Norfolk’s eighth lowest March snowfall total. The record for least snowfall in March was in 1946 when only half an inch fell. Last year was the fifth least amount of snow recorded in March, with just 2.7 inches falling. Five of our ten least snowy Marches have occurred since 1995.

We can get some rather large snowfall totals in March, and you don’t have to go that far back to find them. We received over 30 inches of snow in both 2005 and 2001. Our greatest monthly snowfall for any month came in March of 1956 when 73.6 inches fell. Oh, what a fickle month March can be.

Although many locations lost snow cover by the middle of the month, there was snow on the ground at the weather station everyday in March with depths ranging from 24 inches down to nine inches. Most local lakes and larger ponds were still ice covered throughout the month. In 2009 and 2010, we lost our snow cover and pond ice by mid to late March.

The snowfall total for this winter season, October through March, is now at 94.7 inches, 10.5 inches above normal and 3.9 inches above our average entire season amount. For the first quarter of 2010 we are 17.9 inches above normal for snowfall and 2.92 inches above normal for total precipitation. As far as groundwater is concerned, we are off to a good start in 2011.

Back to Normal

By Russell Russ

The month’s low temperature of minus 2 degrees was observed on February 11. The high temperature of 54 degrees was observed on both February 17 and 18. On February 17 it was a record high temperature for that date, surpassing the old record of 52 set in 1981. The monthly average mean temperature was 22.2 degrees, 0.3 degree above normal. The month of February is typically when we get most of our lowest temperature readings, but this one was fairly tame.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 4.57 inches, 0.94 inch above normal. February’s snowfall total was 22.4 inches, 2.1 inches above normal. The month started out on a snowy note, making it seem like we were in for more of what January dished out, but after the first week the weather patterns changed. Norfolk was on the rainy side of most of the later storms. Last year February was the big snowfall month with a total of 35.3 inches. This year it was January’s turn. There was a deep snow cover on the ground at the station every day this month with depths ranging from 22 to 32 inches.

The snowfall total for this winter season, October through February, is 89.8 inches, 23.7 inches above normal. At the end of February we were just one inch below our normal entire season average.

So far, for the two months of 2011 we are at 72.4 inches of snowfall, 31.1 inches above normal, and 8.32 inches for total precipitation, 0.63 inch above normal. Norfolk’s 80 year averages are 90.8 inches of snowfall per year and 52.55 inches of total precipitation per year.

Snow core measurements were taken several times during the month to determine the amount of water that was sitting on the ground in the form of snow and ice. February 7 with 28 inches of snow on the ground contained 6.9 inches of water. February 15 with 27 inches of snow contained 7.5 inches of water. February 27 with 26 inches of snow contained 7.9 inches of water. These figures show nearly two months worth of water sitting on the ground. This will become very important to forecasters as we approach the spring thaw.

Record Snowfall

By Russell Russ

The month’s high temperature of 55 degrees was observed on January 1. The low temperature of minus 14 degrees was observed on January 24. This was a record low for that date, beating the old record of minus 11 degrees set back in 1948. The average mean temperature this month was 19.0 degrees, 1.7 degrees below the January average.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 3.75 inches, 0.31 inches below normal. If you do not like snow then stop reading here because this month was all about snow. January’s snowfall total was a very impressive 50.0 inches, 29 inches above normal and it was record setting. While a number of locations throughout the state recorded their snowiest January, and in some cases their snowiest of any month, Norfolk came close, but still fell just a little short of reaching its snowiest on record. It was Norfolk’s second snowiest January and the fourth snowiest of any month since we began keeping records in 1932.

During the big storm on January 12 a snowfall total of 21.7 inches was measured at the station. Snowfall totals varied widely throughout the region and the state. In an odd twist, central Connecticut recorded more snowfall in a number of storms this month. Typically Litchfield County and Norfolk in particular, receive higher snowfall amounts than other parts of the state.

Here are Norfolk’s top six snowiest months, with snowfall measured in inches: March 1956, 73.6; February 1969, 52.4; January 1987, 50.5; January 2011, 50.0; February 1967, 48.4; January 1961, 48.1.

Twenty of the month’s thirty-one days saw precipitation and just about all of it was the frozen kind. There was snow on the ground at the station every day this month, with depths ranging from four to twenty-eight inches. We have had a continuous snow cover since December 14.

The snowfall total for this winter season (October through January) is now at 67.4 inches. This is 21.6 inches above normal and 32.1 inches above where we were through January last year. The heading for the January 2010 weather summary was “Where’s the Snow?”, but we certainly didn’t have to ask that question this year.

Colder than average December closes out fourth warmest year on record

By Russell Russ

December 2010 was the coldest December we’ve seen since the year 2000. With an average mean temperature of 22.6 degrees it was 2.7 degrees below normal. The month’s high temperature of 55 degrees was observed on December 1. The low temperature of 5 degrees was observed on both December 10 and 17. With numerous cold and windy days, wind chill temperatures fell into the single digits many times and even below zero on several occasions.

December’s total precipitation amount was 6.20 inches, 1.72 inches above normal. The monthly snowfall total of 17.3 inches was very near normal, being just 0.2 inch below normal. If you are keeping track, Norfolk had about two inches of snow on the ground for Christmas, giving us just barely a white Christmas once again. The largest snowfall of the month, and season so far, was the 11.5 inches that fell December 26 and 27, during the so called Blizzard of 2010. Snowfall totals were extremely difficult to measure due to the blowing and drifting snow. Initial forecasts predicted up to two feet of snowfall, but in the end we got about half that. The snowfall total for this winter season to date, October through December, is 17.4 inches. This is 7.4 inches below the normal for this time period.

Many smaller ponds, including Pond Hill Pond, iced over for the season on December 6, two days earlier than last year. The smaller ponds initially iced up on November 28, but lost it with rain and warm temperatures on November 30. Wangum Lake iced over on December 9, nine days earlier than last year, and Tobey Pond iced over on December 10, also nine days earlier than last year. By December 24 Tobey was carrying about six inches of ice.

In review of Norfolk’s weather for the 2010 calendar year it was quite a bit warmer than normal, a little wetter than normal, but had less snow than normal. The yearly mean temperature was 47.4 degrees, 2.7 degrees above average. It was Norfolk’s fourth warmest year in the last 79 years. Only 1998 with 48.4 degrees, 2001 with 48.3 degrees, and 2006 and 2002 with 47.8 degrees were warmer years. The yearly total precipitation amount was 55.84 inches. This was 3.30 inches above normal and just 0.14 inch above the 2009 yearly total. Snowfall for the year totaled 70.6 inches. This was 20.3 inches below the yearly average and 6.4 inches below the 2009 yearly total, but by no means a record for least amount of yearly snowfall.

Between fall and winter is November

By Russell Russ

Most of the leaves had fallen by early in the month and for most of the month it was not quite cold enough for snow. November, as usual, was somewhere between fall and winter. It may have felt cold, but this November’s temperatures were just about average for this time of year in Norfolk. Except for a couple of really wet days there wasn’t much rain and there were only a few days with a light dusting of snow. No records were set for either temperature or precipitation. Basically your typical cool, cloudy and some would say dreary month of November.

The month’s high temperature of 60 degrees was observed on November 13 and the low temperature of 20 degrees was observed on November 29. The average mean temperature this month was 37.6 degrees, just 0.7 degree above normal. Except for a week’s worth of above average daily temperatures during the middle part of the month the temperatures over the entire month were fairly uniform.

It was cold enough on November 28 for some of the smaller local ponds to freeze over, but their ice went out on November 30 when temperatures topped 50 degrees. It is highly likely that November passed without providing any local pond ice skating opportunities.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 2.99 inches, 1.77 inches below normal. For the 2010 calendar year, through November, the total precipitation amount was 49.64 inches, 1.66 inches above normal.

The month of November average snowfall amount is 6.8 inches, but this November had five days with just flurries which all added up to only a trace amount. There was also one day with a little freezing rain and some sleet. The monthly total for snowfall was just 0.1 inch, which was in the form of sleet, not snow. The National weather Service includes sleet in their snowfall category. As of the end of November our 2010 snowfall total was 53.3 inches, 20.4 inches below normal. It is looking like another below average snowfall year. If December is a bust for snow this year we could easily be placing 2010 on Norfolk’s “top ten” list for least amount of yearly snowfall.

First Snow Flurries of the Season

By Russell Russ

As predicted at the end of September, the early October rains did help put us back on the plus side for yearly precipitation levels. October was a wet and cooler than we’ve come accustomed to month. It was above average by far for rain and actually a little above normal for temperature.

The month’s low temperature of 32 degrees was observed on October 19 and our high temperature of 72 degrees was observed on October 26. The high of 72 degrees on October 26 was a record high for that date, beating the old record of 71 degrees set in 1963. The average mean temperature this month was 48.8 degrees, 1.2 degrees above normal. There were nine days with frost observed at the station. The first official frost of the season at the weather station occurred on October 10. Other areas around town may have reported earlier or additional days with frost, mostly low lying areas, but due to the station’s elevation it can sometimes have warmer temperatures on cool, calm fall mornings.

The official total precipitation recorded for the month was 9.50 inches, or 5.30 inches above normal. Determining final totals for October again could seem a bit confusing because heavy rains that fell during the last day of September actually get added to October’s total. Taking into account the 1.55 inches of rain that fell on September 30 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight, the total for October could be considered by some to be just 7.95 inches, still an impressive figure that would have ranked it as tied with 1989 as the sixth wettest October. As it stands officially, with 9.50 inches, this October was the fifth wettest October in the last 79 years. The October 1955 record of 17.28 inches still stands as the wettest October on record.

We saw our first snow flurries of the season on October 22. It only lasted about three hours and didn’t accumulate, but it was snow. The average monthly snowfall for October is 0.6 inches. As of the end of October, the yearly precipitation total stands at 46.65 inches which is now 3.43 inches above normal. Now that we are in the season for snow we can once again look at the yearly snowfall total for 2010. As of the end of October we are at 53.2 inches for the year which is 13.7 inches below normal through October. Through October we are now 38.0 inches below our normal yearly average of 91.2 inches.

A month of Transition

By Russell Russ

September truly was a month of transition. It began right where August left off, with warm temperatures and very dry conditions. Then, during the last week of the month, our weather pattern changed. In came the rain. Two big storms pumped in moisture from as far south as Florida and dumped record amounts of rain throughout the Northeast U.S. Parts of Connecticut, Norfolk included, picked up some impressive rain totals.

The month’s high temperature of 89 degrees was observed on September 2 and our low temperature of 38 degrees was observed on September 21. Norfolk flirted with record high temperatures during the first few days of the month and did set a new record for September 24 with a high temperature of 83, beating the old record of 81 set for this date in 1937. There were reports of scattered frost in the area during the morning of September 21, but no frost was observed at the weather station or in areas near it. The average mean temperature this month was 62.4 degrees, 3.7 degrees above normal. It was Norfolk’s fifth warmest September in the last 79 years. Four of the five warmest Septembers on record have occurred in the last ten years.

The official precipitation total recorded for the month was 3.36 inches, or 1.30 inches below normal. Determining final totals for September was difficult because heavy rains fell during the last day of the month. The National weather Service will record the total as 3.36 inches, but taking into account the rain that fell September 30 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight, the total was 4.91 inches.

September’s lack of rain nearly set a record through the 27th. Then the rains came. A good eighty percent of the monthly rain came during the last four days of the month. About forty percent of the monthly rain came between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on September 30. The rains continued into early October. October will have some serious rain totals. As of September 30, 2010, the yearly precipitation total stands at 37.15 inches, which is 1.87 inches below normal. October figures will most certainly bring us back to above normal levels for the year.