PREVIOUS WEATHER REPORTS

Third Driest March on Record

By Russell Russ

March can be a month that sees some strong nor’easters that can bring heavy snow or rain or both. March of 2018 was a prime example with three storms that helped push last March’s snowfall total to 43.5 inches. That was not the case this March. While this March was cool and cloudy, it was not a month with much snow or rain. Once again there was a brief warm up in mid-February that fooled everyone into thinking winter was over and spring was here. March’s cool weather slowly but surely brought everyone back into weather reality. This year it was a March reality without much precipitation. Thanks to March’s predominantly cool temperatures, most local lakes and ponds were ice covered until March 28-30. For this winter in Norfolk, pond and lake ice generally came in normally to a little early and went out normally to a little later than normal.

March’s low temperature of minus 6 degrees was observed on March 7 and the high of 64 degrees was observed on March 30. With an average monthly mean temperature of 29.8 degrees, it was 0.9 degree below normal. Temperature-wise it was a very normal March and there were no daily or monthly records set. Over the last twenty years there have been ten Marches that were above normal and ten that were below normal. Norfolk’s warmest March was 2012 with 41.8 degrees, the coldest was 1960 with 21.2 degrees.

The total precipitation for the month was just 1.71 inches. This was 2.69 inches below normal, ranking this March as the 3rd driest in the last 88 years. The result of a month minus any typically occurring March nor’easter storms. Norfolk’s driest March was 1981 with 0.64 inch, the wettest was 1953 with 10.37 inches. Through the first quarter of 2019 the total precipitation amount was 10.79 inches, 1.27 inches below normal. Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come for 2019, but this precipitation total for the year is over 4 inches behind last year’s total through March.

Snow, or more correctly the lack of it, was one of the main weather themes for the month. March’s snowfall total of 11.7 inches was 6.1 inches below normal. Snow totals were down considerably, but overall this March did not even rank in the top 25 for least amount of March snowfall. Everyone must still have had last year’s March snowfall in their minds. Last year’s total was nearly 32 inches higher than this year’s. Norfolk’s snowiest March (and snowiest of any month) was in 1956 with 73.6 inches. March 1946 with a total monthly snowfall of just 0.5 inch holds the record for least amount.

Through the first quarter of 2019 the total snowfall amount was 38.4 inches, 20.7 inches below normal. Compared to the same period last year, this year recorded 41.8 inches less snowfall. The 2018-2019 winter season snowfall total through March was 55.7 inches. This was 27.8 inches below normal and also 40.9 inches less than the same period last winter. April and May still count towards winter snowfall, but it is not looking like either month will add much if anything to this year’s totals.

Unless something very unusual happens it is looking like the 2018-2019 winter snow season will rank as Norfolk’s 11th least snowy winter over the last 88 years. Will April bring springtime to Norfolk? It did, but it did not feel or look very spring-like until April 13 when temperatures final topped 70 degrees for two consecutive days. Through April 21, temperatures were about normal and snowfall was 5 inches below normal. Total precipitation (mostly rain) was already at 4.63 inches, nearly a half inch above normal with over a week left in the month. With plenty of rainfall and a few warmer days pushing things along nicely, spring flowers were blooming, lawns were greening up and the magnolias and forsythia were finally beginning to flower. Spring has arrived.

Wintertime, More or Less

By Russell Russ

You cannot judge a complete month’s weather by looking at just a few days. The first few days of February were quite cold with below zero temperatures. A few days later, temperatures were in the mid-fifties. So, what was the rest of the month like? The answer is mostly average for February. All local ponds and lakes stayed ice covered. Snow depth at the weather station ranged from 7 inches down to just a trace then back up to 7 inches. Last year, springtime strongly inserted itself during February resulting in the third warmest February on record. Not the case this year. February is still more or less a wintertime month here in Norfolk.

The month’s low temperature of minus 5 degrees was observed on February 1. The high temperature of 57 degrees was observed on February 4. The February 4 high of 57 degrees was a record high for that date, beating the old record of 54 from 1991. The average monthly mean temperature was 24.2 degrees, 2.1 degrees above normal. This is above average, but not far from normal. The warmest February on record was in 2002 with 30.7 degrees. The coldest was in 1934 with 9.0 degrees, making that also the coldest month of any month as recorded at this weather station over the last 88 years. Norfolk’s coldest month occurred many years ago, but cold months can still happen in this day and age. The second coldest month of any month was observed in February 2015 with a monthly average temperature of 10.9 degrees.

Total precipitation recorded for the month was 3.10 inches, 0.54 inch below normal. The 2019 calendar year, January and February, total precipitation amount of 9.08 inches is 1.42 inches above normal. Monthly total precipitation amounts in Norfolk are evenly distributed throughout the year, with average monthly amounts ranging from 3.64 inches to 4.87 inches. February happens to be the month with, on average, the least amount of precipitation here in Norfolk.

February’s monthly snowfall total of 11.3 inches was 9.2 inches below normal. Norfolk and much of southern New England are not seeing an abundance of snowfall this winter. As has been the case for a good part of this winter, Norfolk is getting its fair share of wintery precipitation. There has been some snow, but many times it has been preceded or followed by sleet, freezing rain and/or rain. Northern New England and northern New York State have seen less mixing of precipitation and these areas have recorded much more snowfall than Norfolk this winter.

The 2019 calendar year snowfall total through February is 26.7 inches. This is 14.6 inches below normal. It is also exactly 10 inches less than Norfolk’s calendar year snowfall total at this time last year. The snowfall total for this winter season, October through February, is 44.0 inches. This is 21.7 inches below normal. Norfolk could be flirting with a high ranking low snowfall winter, but March and April are still to come and both can produce some decent snowfall totals.

A look ahead into March through mid-month shows that wintertime continues to hold on, and in much the same way it has been all winter long, with a variety of cold and warm and rain and snow. Most lakes and ponds were still ice covered, higher elevations and forested areas in town were holding on to at least some snow and temperatures were on average cold for March. March’s monthly temperature was running nearly 5 degrees below normal. Both total precipitation and snowfall were well below normal. March weather can be wild around here, but so far this year it has been fairly tame. Tame, but definitely on the colder side.

An early look at January 2019 weather

By Russell Russ

A complete summary of January’s weather will be coming soon. An early look at the month shows the average monthly mean temperature was 21.7 degrees. This was 0.9 degree above normal. There were some wild swings in temperatures during the month. Record warmth and record cold. There were five days that had subzero temperatures. Total precipitation was 5.98 inches, 1.96 inches above normal. January’s snowfall total was 15.4 inches, 5.4 inches below normal.

Weather data from 2018 has been summarized and notable weather facts and figures have been compared to the 87 year weather data history for this weather station. The year of 2018 had numerous high ranking positions for temperature, precipitation and snow – but mostly for temperatures.

See the “Past Narratives” section of this website for a November, December and yearly summary for 2018 weather. Weather records up through 2018 have also been recalculated and revised data sheets have been posted in the “Weather Data Sheets” section.

Stay tuned for future weather updates.

Norfolk’s November & December Weather & a Yearly Summary for 2018

By Russell Russ

The year of 2018 was a wet one and the months of November and December were also above normal for precipitation with both months adding to our yearly surplus. The previous three years were all below normal for precipitation, but 2018 ended that – and then some. The conclusion of 2018 completes 87 years of continuous weather observations at the Norfolk 2SW weather station.

November’s average temperature of 34.1 degrees was 3.0 degrees below normal. Temperatures ranged from a high of 64 to a low of 3 degrees. Precipitation for the month totaled 8.65 inches, 4.06 inches above normal. It was Norfolk’s 5th wettest November on record. The monthly snowfall total of 12.9 inches was 6.3 inches above normal. It was tied with November 1940 as our 15th snowiest November on record. The first measurable snowfall of the season came on November 15-16 when we received a total of 8.5 inches. There were two record daily temperatures in November. The low of 4 degrees on November 22 tied the 1987 record and the low of 3 on November 23 surpassed the old record of 7 set in 1932.

December’s average temperature of 28.7 was 3.0 degrees above normal. Temperatures in December ranged from a high of 59 to a low of 11 degrees. It was tied with 1999 as Norfolk’s 14th warmest December. With a total precipitation amount of 4.69 inches, it was just 0.16 inch above normal. December’s monthly snowfall total of 4.4 inches was 12.6 inches below normal and ranked tied with 2014 as Norfolk’s 7th lowest December monthly snowfall. The high temperature of 59 on December 21 tied the 2013 record high temperature for that date. December was a cloudy, raw and damp month with little snow, more like a cold November than a December.

With the colder than normal November temperatures, many smaller local ponds were ice covered as early as November 16. Tobey Pond was ice covered on December 5 and stayed iced through the end of the month. Wangum Lake iced over in mid-December, but opened up later in the month and as of late December still was not iced for the season. These ice-in dates are about normal to perhaps a little earlier than normal. It was a close one, exactly like it was in 2017, but a Christmas Eve evening light snowfall solidified a White Christmas for Norfolk. Probably not for most of the rest of the state, but Norfolk just barely got one once again. Technically, one inch of snow on the ground makes for a White Christmas.

Norfolk’s weather for 2018 will be remembered as being very wet and kind of warm. It had its moments, a lot of snow early in the year, many warm temperature days and a lot of rain during most months, but for the most part there were no major or devastating weather events during the year for Norfolk. Seven out of twelve months were above normal for temperature, nine out of twelve were above normal for precipitation and four out of eight winter season months were above normal for snowfall. Throughout the entire year there were many high ranking months for temperature, precipitation and snowfall. A majority of the high ranks were due to warmer than normal monthly temperatures. Notable months were February for being the 3rd warmest, March for being the 4th snowiest, May for being the 2nd warmest, July for being tied as the 4th warmest, August for being the 2nd warmest, and November for being the 5th wettest.

The coldest day of the year was January 7 with a low temperature of minus 10 degrees. There were five days in 2018 with temperatures of zero or below zero (three were below zero). The warmest days of the year were July 1 and 2 when both reached the 92 degree mark. In total, there were three days in 2018 that recorded temperatures of 90 degrees or above. The yearly mean temperature was 46.5 degrees, 1.6 degrees above normal, ranking it as Norfolk’s 11th warmest year over the last 87 years. Last year was tied as 10th warmest.

The yearly precipitation amount of 66.97 inches was 14.45 inches above normal, ranking it as Norfolk’s 7th wettest year over the last 87 years. This is 21.14 inches more than last year, which ranked as Norfolk’s 19th driest year on record. No talk of precipitation deficits in 2018.

Snowfall for the 2018 calendar year totaled 108.4 inches, not very high ranking for yearly snowfall, but it was 18.6 inches above normal. January, February, April and November gave us good snow totals, but we can thank the month of March most of all since that month alone was 26 inches above normal for snowfall.

An Average October

By Russell Russ

Many recent months have been high ranking for temperature or precipitation, or both. Something we have not seen much of lately is an average weather month, but that is just about what October was. The month started out warm with some late summer-like weather. That all changed by the second week of the month when temperatures dropped back down to normal and even below normal. The fall foliage season peaked about a week or two later than normal. This followed the trend we have seen for the last several years. Our normal peak is being extended a week or two beyond what we used to call our peak foliage time. Arguably, it was not one of our finer foliage seasons around here.

The month’s high temperature of 77 degrees was observed on October 10. The low temperature of 27 degrees was observed on October 19 and 31. The monthly mean temperature of 47.7 degrees was exactly normal for October. Being exactly normal does not happen often. Norfolk’s warmest October was in 2001 with 55.3 degrees. The coldest was in 1974 with an average temperature of 42.0 degrees. There were about seven days with frost in the area. There were four days with frost at the weather station, the first was on October 18.

The total precipitation for the month was 4.55 inches, just 0.28 inch above normal. Not much above normal, but it was yet another month this year with above normal precipitation. Norfolk’s wettest October was in 1955 with 17.28 inches and the driest was in 1963 with just 0.63 inches.

Through October, the total precipitation amount for the year was 53.63 inches. This was 10.23 inches above normal through the month of October. With still two months to go to finish off the year, Norfolk was 1.11 inches above our normal yearly precipitation average of 52.52 inches. With just a trace of snow and sleet on four days, the monthly snowfall total was just a trace. This is 0.9 inch below normal. For the 2018 calendar year through October, we are currently 24.9 inches above normal for snowfall – and we still have two months to go.

Through November 20, temperatures for November were running about normal and with 6.96 inches of total precipitation, Norfolk was already 2.37 inches above the average amount for the entire month – with ten days still to go. The season’s first measurable snowfall came on November 15 and 16 when Norfolk received a total of 8.5 inches of heavy wet snow. While it was a shock to everyone that winter was coming, it was not any kind of November snowfall record for Norfolk. What might be record setting are the low temperatures predicted for the time around Thanksgiving. Single digit temperatures are in the forecast.

November is typically the transition month into winter for Norfolk and it happened again this year. After a relatively warm first few days, giving us one last taste of autumn, the temperatures then turned down to be much more typical for November. With ten days still to go, November seemed so very cold and snowy, but in reality it was just about normal. Perhaps we all have forgotten what normal really is.

Warm and Wet

By Russell Russ

September weather in Norfolk this year was mostly cloudy and humid for much of the month. Temperatures and rainfall were both well above normal. September is prime Hurricane season. North and South Carolina were hit with devastating rainfall totals when Hurricane Florence made landfall September 14. Remnants of Florence did produce 2.61 inches of rain here September 17-18, a decent amount of rain, but no widespread damage or flooding here, as was the case in the Carolinas. Our prolonged summer persevered through the month. It was not until the latter weeks of the month, when the foliage finally began to turn, did we realize that autumn in fact was on the way.

September’s high temperature of 88 degrees was observed on September 6 and the low of 41 degrees was observed on September 30. The average mean temperature was 62.4 degrees, 3.5 degrees above normal. During the first week of the month there were several days with record setting or near record setting high temperatures. The September 5 high of 85 tied the 1983 record and the September 6 high of 88 just beat the 1943 record of 87.

This September was tied with 2010 as the seventh warmest September over the last 87 years. The warmest September was in 2015 with 64.7 degrees and the coolest was in 1963 with 53.6 degrees. For the year, there have been six months above normal for monthly temperatures and September made it five in a row. We will have to see how the last quarter of the year plays out, but 2018 could be in the running for a high ranking among warmest years on record for Norfolk.

The month’s rainfall total was 8.77 inches, 4.12 inches above normal. It was Norfolk’s fourth month in a row with above normal rainfall. In fact, six of the nine months this year have been above normal for precipitation. It was the ninth wettest September over the last 87 years. The wettest September was in 1938 with 13.40 inches (thanks to the Hurricane of ’38). The driest was in 2014 with just 1.16 inches.

Through September this year, the total yearly precipitation amount was 49.08 inches. This is 9.95 inches above normal. Through September, we are only 3.44 inches away from Norfolk’s average amount for the entire year. By comparison, at this point last year we were 5.53 inches below normal and two years ago we were 11.04 inches below normal. No talk of precipitation deficits around here this year, that is for sure.

What will October’s weather be like? By two-thirds of the way through the month as Norfolk Now was going to print, it was a tale of two weather months. Through October 11 it was more warmth and more rain – just like it has been all summer and early fall. But, the weather turned here after that and cooler temperatures began to take over. Changing leaf colors and several days with frost after mid-month shocked everyone with the realization that summer is finally over. Historically, frost is common in September around Norfolk, but for the last few years it has not shown locally (for the most part) until October. As is typical, October was our transition month. In recent years the colder weather seems to have been somewhat delayed, but there is no holding back Mother Nature. Winter is on the way.

More Heat and Humidity

By Russell Russ

August continued our summer of heat and humidity here in Norfolk. It was another hot and humid month with above average rainfall, kind of like it has been all summer long. If you like your summers hot then this year was your year.

August’s low temperature of 52 degrees was observed on August 24. The month’s high temperature of 88 degrees was observed on four days, August 6, 7, 28 and 29. The high of 88 on August 6 tied the 1955 record high for that date. Temperatures were very near record levels on August 7, 8, 28 and 29. The monthly mean temperature of 70.9 degrees was 4.6 degrees above normal. This August was the second warmest August in the last 87 years, very near the August 2001 record of 71.0 degrees. It was also tied with July 2016 and July 1994 as the seventh warmest month of any month since 1932. The coolest August on record was in 1964 with 61.5 degrees.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 5.70 inches, 1.07 inches above normal. It ranks as Norfolk’s sixteenth wettest August on record. Not all that impressive, but it did continue our recent trend of months with above average monthly rainfall. Norfolk’s wettest August (by far) was in 1955 with 23.67 inches, the driest was in 1953 with just 0.65 inches.

Through August, the total precipitation amount for this year was 40.31 inches. This is 5.83 inches above normal and is also over 10 inches more than we received through August of last year. Compared to the last several years, this year seems like it should be working on some kind of record, but we need to remember that the last several years have all been on the low to very low end of the yearly rainfall spectrum. We also have four more months to go to close out 2018.

What will September’s weather bring to Norfolk? Through September 19 it was just a continuation of the warm, humid and wet weather that we have seen all summer. Temperatures were running over 7 degrees above normal and rainfall already was 5.12 inches, almost a half inch above the monthly normal. Remnants of Hurricane Florence hit Norfolk with 2.61 inches of rain on September 17 and 18. Heavy rainfall in Norfolk for a while, but the rainfall totals were nowhere near what North and South Carolina received when Florence made landfall there. Some foliage began to turn by early in the month, but for the most part everything remained very summer like into the third week of the month. Eventually fall will be upon us.

Fourth Warmest Month on Record

By Russell Russ

July was a wet and very warm month. Compared to more urban locations, Norfolk typically sees cooler summer temperatures. Norfolk’s forested landscape and higher elevation plays heavily into this cooling influence. Sometimes though, the heat and humidity during the dog days of summer can overtake Norfolk’s somewhat protected little weather world. That was certainly the case in July when we saw hazy, hot and humid conditions for much of the month. The tropical air also resulted in above average rainfall.

July’s high temperature of 92 degrees was observed on July 1 and 2 and the low temperature of 48 degrees was observed on July 7. There were three days this month with record daily high temperatures: 92 on July 1 (was 90 in 1934 and 1964), 92 on July 2 (was 91 in 1934) and 89 on July 16 (tied record from 1969). In addition to these, heat records were nearly broken on July 3, 4, 5 and 17. July’s monthly mean temperature of 71.5 degrees was 3.4 degrees above normal.

This July was tied with 2010 as being not only the fourth warmest July on record, but also tied as the fourth warmest month of any month on record (since 1932). Quite impressive to think that there have been weather observations made for 1,039 months at this weather station and July 2018 was tied as the fourth warmest of all of those months. Norfolk’s warmest July on record was in 2013 with 72.7 degrees, the coolest was in 1962 with 63.9 degrees.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 6.36 inches, 2.02 inches above average. There were five thunderstorms this month, but nothing overly severe around here. With less than an inch of rainfall recorded through July 16, things were beginning to look dry. That changed dramatically during the second half of the month. While this July was wetter than normal it still was not even in the Top-10 for wettest. The wettest July was in 2014 with 12.76 inches, the driest was in 1939 with 1.29 inches.

We are doing quite well for precipitation this year. Through July the total precipitation amount for the year was 34.61 inches. This is 4.76 inches above average and also 7.39 inches more than the total through July 2017. For 2015-2017, Norfolk was below normal for precipitation through the month of July (also for those entire years). Even though we are doing just fine for moisture so far this year, some trees still are showing signs of stress from our previous years of drought. It can take two to three years for signs of drought to show up in trees. Our precipitation surplus this year will certainly be beneficial for our friends the trees.

An early look into August, through August 17, showed that August’s weather was looking much like our July weather. The heat, humidity and rainfall continued. Temperatures were running 6 degrees above normal and we had already seen 4.75 inches of rainfall, 0.12 inch above the normal for the entire month of August. Autumn is just around the corner. Enjoy the summer heat while it is here. It will not be long before we see cooler temperatures and even some changing leaf colors around here.

Nice Summer Weather

By Russell Russ

June’s low temperature of 43 degrees was observed on June 4 and the high of 88 degrees was observed on June 18. With an average monthly mean temperature of 63.6 degrees, it was just 0.3 degree above normal. There were just a few really warm days in June and no daily temperature records were set. It was a pleasant weather month, very average for the month of June in Norfolk. Temperatures and humidity increased late in June and continued into early July.

This June was just about average for temperatures. Morning lows in the 40’s in June may seem a little chilly, but that is normal for Norfolk. Norfolk’s coolest June was in 1958 with an average monthly mean temperature of 58.8 degrees. The warmest June was in 1943 with 68.3 degrees.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 5.76 inches, 0.90 inch above normal. There were just two thunderstorms this month, neither of which were on the severe side. The monthly rainfall total was certainly helped by two days (June 4 and 28) with moderate to heavy rainfall during the overnight hours.

During the summer months, short duration downpours typically make up a large part of the monthly rainfall total, and also, the lack of them can mean a dry month. The driest June was in 1988 when only 0.74 inch was recorded. Our wettest June was in 2013 with 13.38 inches.

For the first half of 2018 our total precipitation amount was 28.25 inches. Through June, this puts Norfolk 2.74 inches above normal for the year. This is also nearly 5 inches above where we were last year at this point in time. The years of 2015 and 2016 were very dry. Fortunately, it seems we have turned the tide and can worry about other things besides a looming drought. Of course, July and August could be dry, they sometimes are, but compared to recent years, this year we have a little cushion to work with.

An early look at July through mid-month shows that it certainly did warm up. Temperatures were running about 5 degrees above normal and for three days in a row (July 1-3) Norfolk recorded high temperatures in the low 90’s. It was hazy, hot and humid for sure for the first five days of July. When the dew point is in the upper 60’s it is noticeably humid. A few days with dew points in the mid to upper 70’s in early July made it very uncomfortable.

If you were looking for some hot summer weather then you got it in early July. Record highs were recorded on July 1 (92) and July 2 (92). We just missed record highs on July 3, 4 and 5. July is typically Norfolk’s warmest month of the year. We are supposed to see some hazy, hot and humid conditions in July and we have had some of that. The weather station typically gets to 90 degrees or above two to three times a year. For 2018, Norfolk can say been there done that.