A fairly typical February for Norfolk
By Russell Russ
The month’s low temperature of minus 1 degree was observed on February 5. The high temperature of 54 degrees was observed on February 11, which tied a record high temperature for that date set on February 11, 1981. A high temperature of 53 degrees on February 27 set a new record high for that date, beating out the old record of 52 degrees set on that date back in 1976. The average mean temperature this month was 24.8 degrees, 3 degrees above the norm.
The total precipitation recorded for the month was 2.24 inches, 1.38 inches below normal. February’s snowfall total was 17.6 inches, 2.6 inches below normal. There was snow cover on the ground at the station every day this month with depths ranging from 10 to 17 inches. The snowfall total for this winter season (October through February) is now at 64.7 inches, 1.4 inches below normal. So far, for the two months of 2009 we are at 42.7 inches of snowfall, 1.5 inches above normal and 5.72 inches for total precipitation, 1.97 inches below normal.
Twice this month, measurements were taken to determine the amount of water that was sitting on the ground in the form of snow and ice. On February 15, there were 3.4 inches of water equivalent in the 10 inches of snow and ice on the ground. On February 25, there were 4.5 inches of water equivalent in the 17 inches of snow and ice on the ground. This will become important to forecasters as we approach the spring thaw.
