Hanford Site Climatological Summary 2004 with Historical Data

Abstract

from which these data were collected. This report contains updated historical information for temperature, precipitation, wind, normal and extreme values of temperature and precipitation, and other miscellaneous meteorological parameters. Further, the data are adjunct to and update Hoitink et al. (1999Hoitink et al. ( , 2000Hoitink et al. ( , 2001Hoitink et al. ( , 2002Hoitink et al. ( , 2003Hoitink et al. ( , 2004 and Hoitink and Burk (1994, 1996, 1997; however, data from Appendix B -Wind Climatology (Hoitink and Burk 1994) are excluded.Calendar year 2004 was warmer than normal 2 at the Hanford Meteorology Station with an average temperature of 54.6°F, 1.0°F above normal (53.6°F). The hottest temperature was 107°F on August 13, while the coldest was -14°F on January 5. For the 12-month period, 7 months were warmer than normal, and 5 months were cooler than normal.Precipitation for 2004 totaled 7.96 inches, 114% of normal (6.98 inches); calendar year snowfall totaled 22.9 inches (compared to the normal of 15.4 inches). The 11.4 inches of snow which fell on January 1 was the greatest amount ever recorded during a 24-hour period. The previous record was 10.2 inches on February 18-19, 1993.Calendar year 2004 had an average wind speed of 7.0 miles per hour (mph), 0.6 mph below normal (7.6 mph). There were 22 days with peak gusts ≥40 mph, compared to a yearly average of 27 days. The peak gust during the year was 63 mph on January 30. Throughout this document the term "normal" is used to indicate climatological normal, defined as an average value over a period of years of any meteorological element such as temperature, pressure, and rainfall. The convention uses a 30-year time period, ending with the last year of a given decade (such as 1951-1980, 1961-1990, 1971-2000).

Recharge Data Package for Hanford Single-Shell Tank Waste Management Areas

“…The period also includes a 24-hr record precipitation of 48.5 mm. This amount is nearly equivalent to the predicted 1,000-yr 24-hr amount of 51.6 mm (Hoitink et al 2005). …”

“…One is located in the 200 East Area and one in the 200 West Area. Hoitink et al (2005) and predecessor reports show some variability in mean monthly and annual air temperatures at these two locations, but the general trends are very consistent. Of note is that the air temperature in the 200 East Area is, on average, 1.2 degrees warmer than at the HMS.…”

“…Noteworthy is that the simulation period included some extreme events, including the 24-hr record precipitation of 48.5 mm. This amount is nearly equivalent to the predicted 1,000-yr 24-hr amount of 51.6 mm (Hoitink et al 2005). The two soil scenarios showed some sensitivity to the additional six years of weather data.…”

“…This section summarizes information on the climate and meteorology, geology and soil, hydrology, and ecology. Portions of this section were extracted from existing reports, including Neitzel et al (2005), Hoitink et al (2005), Reidel and Chamness (2007), Fayer andSzecsody (2004), Hartman et al (2007), and Horton (2007). For brevity, references in the original texts are not included here.…”

“…This mountain range also serves as a source of cold air drainage, which has a considerable effect on the wind regime on the Hanford Site. Climatological data have been collected at the Hanford Meteorological Station (HMS) since 1945 (Hoitink et al 2005). The HMS is sited between the 200 East and 200 West Areas at an elevation of 223 m. The data are representative of the general climatic conditions for the region and describe the specific climate of the Central Plateau.…”