APRIL 2020 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

APRIL 2020 MONTHLY SUMMARY

ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND

by Kevin Shaw, Observer

April 2020 was cooler and wetter than normal.
My maximum temperature average (61.9°) was
3.4° below normal but my minimum temperature
average (43.6°) was still a bit above normal (+0.7°),
resulting in the mean temperature average of 52.8°
to be 1.3° below normal. My total precipitation of
6.79″ was 3.50” above the normal March value for
my station of 3.29”. There were 17 days with
measurable precipitation, distributed fairly evenly
throughout the month but with the maximum amounts
in the middle and end of the month. . There were
two very wet days, the greatest daily amount of
2.89” fell on the 13th, with 1.34” falling on the
last day of the month. Those two days (4.23”)
daily values accounted for about 62% of the
monthly precipitation total. Unfortunately no snow
fell during the entire month, effectively ending
the 2019-2020 snow season with a meager total
of 3.0 inches falling the entire winter.

There were several chilly periods during the month,
roughly coinciding with the month’s frequent rainy
periods. The largest, most comprehensive period of
cool max temperatures was between the 14th and
28th (57.6° average). Six of the 9 total 30s
minimum temperature days also occurred during
this period. Seven days (including 4 in a row
between the 5th and the 8th) featured the only
days with maximum values in the 70s, highlighted
by the highest reading of the month of 76.2°
on the stormy 13th.

Severe weather consisted of 4 days with winds
gusting over 50 MPH (9-10, 13, 21) and a severe
thunderstorm with the highest PWG of the month
(62 MPH at 1412 during the height of the storm)
and flooding rains that fell horizontally at times.
It was literally a blizzard of rain !! There was a
total of 13 days with a PWG of 30 MPH or
greater, while the average monthly daily PWG
was 29!!

The highest dew point temperature reached during
the month (the stormy 13th) was 70°, also the
warmest and wettest day of the month. Only two
other days during the month had 60° max daily
dew points, on the 8th and the very wet 30th.
The lowest dew point temperature value was
reached on the 22nd with an 18° reading, which
coincided with my lowest relative humidity
percentage value of the month (23%). With
the frequent rains throughout the month, fire
danger was minimal the entire month.

April had 12 cloudy days, 14 partly cloudy days,
and only 4 clear/sunny days. There were 367
heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days
during the month. There were 9 foggy days, 13
windy days, and 2 days with thunder.

My maximum temperature frequencies included
7 days between 70° and 79°, 11 days between
60° and 69°, 11 days between 50° and 59°,
and one in the 40s. On the minimum temperature
frequency side of things, there was 9 days in the
30s, 14 days between 40° and 49°, and 7 days
of 50° or above. The coldest daily maximum
temperature day was 49.4° on the 10th while
the warmest daily minimum temperature day of
55.2° was reached on the 8th.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was 18.4°
(- 4.0°). Our greatest daily range of temperature
was 28.6° on the 19th (63.0°- 34.4°). We had a
total of 16 days with daily ranges above 20°. Our
lowest range of temperature was 6.4° on the
somewhat rainy and cloudy 24th (56.9°- 50.5°).
There were a total of 5 days with diurnal
temperature ranges of less than 10° during the
month, one more than in March.

April 2020 finished up a virtually snowless and quite
mild 2019-2020 meteorological winter/early spring
period. There were some close calls with a few days
of flurries in the region but nothing observed at my
location. My meager seasonal snowfall of 3.0” was
quite depressing and probably about 15% of normal.
There never was any real ice formation on local
ponds.

My new Davis Vantage Vue console will be installed
as soon as the all-clear travel ban is lifted. I have
been using Marty’s spare VP2 console with no
problems over the past few months. I also need to
do a firmware update on the weatherlink software
along with ithe installation of my new Dell computer,
which needs to get my Thunderbird email program
loaded on to. I am not sure where Marty and I can
find the time to do all this and much more, especially
with this current coronavirus pandemic we are under.
All OK on that “front” here right now thank goodness,
and hope it is on your end too! I am still actively
sheltering in place these days as I am sure you all
are doing also.

APRIL 2020 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND

SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 61.9° (- 3.4°)
Average low temperature 43.6° (+ 0.7°)
Mean temperature 52.8° (- 1.3°)

Precipitation 6.79″ (+ 3.50“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 2.89″ (13)
Greatest storm total (dates) 3.37” (12-15)
2020 year-to-date precipitation total 15.69″ (+ 3.00”)

Total monthly snowfall 0.0”
Seasonal snowfall 3.0”

High temperature for the month (date) 76.4° (13)
Low temperature for the month (date) 33.7° (17)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.34” (17)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.28” (9)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): 62 (13 from the NW)
(USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month: 367
Cooling degree days for the month: 0

Greatest diurnal range (date): 28.6° (19)
Least diurnal range (date) 6.4° (24)

Number of days:

Fog 9
Windy 13 (PWG => 30 MPH)
Snow 0
Thunder 2
Cloudy 12
Partly Cloudy 14
Sunny/Clear 4
Max temp ≥ 70° 7
Min temp <= 32° 0
Precip ≥ 0.01” 17

MARCH 2020 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

MARCH 2020 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

March 2020 was significantly drier and warmer than normal.
My maximum temperature average (60.6°) was 7.1° above
normal but my minimum temperature average (41.9°) was
even more significantly above normal (+8.5°), resulting in
the mean temperature average of 51.2° to be 7.8° above
normal. My total precipitation of 2.46″ was 1.28” below the
normal March value for my station of 3.74”. There were 13
days with measurable precipitation, distributed fairly evenly
throughout the month. All daily values were less than one
inch as the maximum monthly daily amount was only 0.57”
on the 19th. Unfortunately no snow fell during the entire
month, effectively ending the 2019-2020 snow season with
a meager total of 3.0 inches falling the entire winter.

There really were no significant cold snaps during the month.
A telling statistic during the month was in the grand total of
only 2 days with freezing minimums the entire month, including
the only moderately cold min day of the month (23.8°) on the
1st. There were 7 days with maximums in the 40s, the coldest
of which was 44.5° on the rainy 23rd. Four single days
interspersed throughout the month featured the only days
with maximum values in the 70s, highlighted by the highest
reading of the month of 78.2° on the 20th.

Unlike February, there were no severe weather days during
March.

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month
(20th) was 65°, also the warmest day of the month..
Only two other days during the month had 60° max daily dew
points, on the 13th and 29th. The lowest dew point
temperature value was reached on the 8th with an 8° reading,
which coincided with my lowest relative humidity percentage
value of the month (an amazing 13%). This brief, very dry
period marked a heightened fire danger on the still rather
dormant vegetation in our gardens and woods in my area.
Rains came on to relieve this condition within a few short
days thereafter before it got to serious levels. .

March had 13 cloudy days, 11 partly cloudy days, and 7
clear/sunny days. There were 429 heating degree days
and 2 cooling degree days during the month. There were
8 foggy days, 7 windy days, and 0 days with snow.
The peak wind gust noted from across the street at the
USG gauge during February was 45 MPH from the W/NW
late on the 2nd and early on the 3rd day of the month.

My maximum temperature frequencies included 4 days
between 70° and 79°, 12 days between 60° and 69°,
8 days between 50° and 59°, and 7 days below 50°.
On the minimum temperature frequency side of things,
there was 1 day 30° or below, 11 days between 30.1°
and 39°, 17 days between 40° and 49°, and 2 days of
50° or above. The coldest daily max temperature day
was 44.5° on the 23rd while the warmest daily min temp
day of 56.3° was reached on the 20th.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was 18.7°
(- 1.4°). Our greatest daily range of temperature was
36.3° on the 9th (76.2°- 39.9°). We only had a total
of 3 days with daily ranges above 30°. Our lowest range
of temperature was 4.1° on the rainy 25th (47.5°-
43.4°). There were only a total of 3 days with diurnal
temperature ranges of less than 10° during the month,
less than half the February amount (8).

March 2020 finished up a virtually snowless and quite
mild 2019-2020 meteorological winter period.
My meager seasonal snowfall of 3.0” was quite depressing
and probably about 20-25% of normal with what looks like
a predictably snowless April (though with a few surprise
close-calls of late actually), as we suffered through a
rather bare-ground winter. There never was any real
ice formation on local ponds.

My new Davis Vantage Vue console will be installed as soon
as the all-clear travel ban is lifted. I have been using
Marty’s spare VP2 console with no problems over the past
few months. I also need to do a firmware update on the
weatherlink software along with ithe installation of my new
Dell computer, which needs to get my Thunderbird email
program loaded on to. I am not sure where Marty and I
can find the time to do all this and much more, especially
with this current coronavirus pandemic we are under.
All OK on that “front” here right now thank goodness, and
hope it is on your end too! I am still actively sheltering in
place these days as I am sure you all are doing also.

MARCH 2020 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 60.6° (+ 7.1°)
Average low temperature 41.9° (+ 8.5°)
Mean temperature 51.2° (+ 7.8°)

Precipitation 2.46″ (- 1.28“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 0.57″ (19)
Greatest storm total (dates) 0.66” (18-19)
2020 year-to-date precipitation total 8.90″ (- 0.50”)

Total monthly snowfall 0.0”
Seasonal snowfall 3.0”

High temperature for the month (date) 78.2° (20)
Low temperature for the month (date) 23.8° (1)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.58” (22)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.46” (3)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): 45 (2,3/W,NW)
(USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month 429
Cooling degree days for the month: 2

Greatest diurnal range (date): 36.3° (9)
Least diurnal range (date) 4.1° (25)

Number of days:

Fog 8
Windy 7 (PWG => 30 MPH)
Snow 0
Sleet/Glaze 0
Cloudy 13
Partly Cloudy 11
Sunny/Clear 7
Max temp ≥ 70° 4
Min temp <= 32° 2
Precip ≥ 0.01” 13

April Meeting Thursday April 2 7 pm via Zoom

With the statewide lockdown on travel, let’s trying meeting online via Zoom.

If you never joined a Zoom call before, you can enter HTTP://zoom.us/test and click on Join. It will automatically download the software onto your computer, tablet or phone if you don’t already have it. You can then test the audio and video (video is optional). The default and preferred connection method for audio is audio over the internet/cell phone. If you don’t have that at all, you can select the tab “dial-in” and hopefully, you will see some telephone number to dial in. These are NOT toll-free if you see them at all. This is our first online meeting so expect some issues so bring your patience!

Here are the details. Thursday, April 2, 7 pm

Topic: NJWO April Meeting
Time: Apr 2, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/962283611?pwd=SCtKNmZJRGJLb1U4cTFMTzVCL3JpZz09

Meeting ID: 962 283 611
Password: 787682

FEBRUARY 2020 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

FEBRUARY 2020 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

February 2020 was warmer and a bit wetter than normal. My maximum
temperature average (48.8°) was 4.0° above normal but my minimum
temperature average (33.1°) was more significantly above normal (+6.3°),
resulting in the mean temperature average of 40.9° to be 5.1° above
normal. My total precipitation of 3.27″ was 0.52” above the normal
February value for my station of 2.75”. There were 12 days with
measurable precipitation, all of which occurred between the 1st – 13th
(2.37”) and 25th – 27th (0.90”). 3rd and 25th. Unfortunately no snow
fell during the entire month.

There were three short moderately cold spells during the month, (14-15,
20-22, and 27-29). “Leap year day” (29) turned out to have our coldest
max of the month (34°) with the coldest min of 19.6° recorded 2 weeks
earlier on the 15th. Two notable but brief high temperature periods
occurred during the month, with the two highest values of the month
logged on the 3rd (68.3°) and the 4th (66.6°) The two other days with
maxes in the lower 60s occurred on the 23rd and 24th at the end of the
month’s longest dry spell (11 days – beginning on the 14th).

The most remarkable weather day of the month was on the 7th. Combined
with the 0.67” of rain on the 6th, the two day period of the 6th and 7th
(1.06”) was the wettest 2 day period of the month. Early on the morning
of the 7th, severe weather developed quickly and amazingly enough tornado
warnings were issued for my regional area for numerous tornadoes on the
ground within 40 miles of my apartment. A total of 5 made damaging F0-F2
landfall scattered about central Maryland during that fateful morning.
The storm stuck with high winds (around 50 MPH) and heavy rains starting
around 0745. Another amazing occurrence was the rapid fall in the
barometric pressure, dropping down to 28.91” at 0741, the lowest reading
of the month, year, and what I have had here at my apartment since I
moved in and established my station in January 2017.

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month was 56°,
also on that busy 7th day of the month. The lowest dew point
temperature value was reached on the 22nd with a 6° reading, during
one of the three brief cold periods of the month. .

February had 6 cloudy days, 12 partly cloudy days, and 11 clear/sunny
days. There were 633 heating degree days and no cooling degree days
during the month. There were 7 foggy days, 10 windy days, and 0 days
with snow. The peak wind gust noted from across the street at the USG
gauge during February was 53 MPH from the NW on that incredible 7th
day of the month.

My maximum temperature frequencies included 4 days between 60° and
69°, 12 days between 50° and 59°, 9 days between 40° and 49°, and
4 days below 40°. On the minimum temperature frequency side of things,
there were 12 days 30° or below, 9 days between 31° and 39°, 7 days
between 40° and 49°, and 1 day of 50° or above. The coldest daily max
temperature day was 34.0° on the 29th while the warmest daily min temp
day of 52.8° was reached on the 4th.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was only 14.1° (- 2.3°). Our
greatest daily range of temperature was 33.9° on the 23rd (60.5°-
26.6°). We only had a total of 7 days with daily ranges above 20°.
Our lowest range of temperature was 5.3° on both the 25th (50.5°-
45.2°) and the colder 29th (34.0°- 28.7°). There were 8 days with
diurnal temperature ranges of less than 10° during the month, double
the 4 recorded in January.

February 2020 finished up a virtually snowless and quite mild 2019-2020
meteorological winter period. My meager seasonal snowfall of 3.0″ was
quite depressing and probably about 20-25% of normal, and with what
looks like a snowless March, a rather bare-ground winter. There never
was any real ice formation on local ponds. My new Davis Vantage Vue
console has yet to be made operational, but I have been using Marty’s
spare VP2 console to do the trick so far. Marty has resolved a possible
glitch in the Vue console, and we are waiting to get together to set that
up, along with my new Dell computer, which needs to get my Thunderbird
email program to be loaded onto. I am not sure where we all can find the
time to do all this and much more, especially with this current coronavirus
pendemic we are under.

FEBRUARY 2020 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND

SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 48.8° (+4.0°)
Average low temperature 33.1° (+ 6.3°)
Mean temperature 40.9° (+5.1°)

Precipitation 3.27″ (+0.52“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 0.67″ (6)
Greatest storm total (dates) 1.17” (4-7)
2020 year-to-date precipitation total 6.44″ (+0.78”)

Total monthly snowfall 0.0”
Seasonal snowfall 3.0”

High temperature for the month (date) 68.3° (3)
Low temperature for the month (date) 19.6° (15)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.66” (15)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 28.91” (7)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): 53 (7/NW)

(USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month: 633
Cooling degree days for the month: 0

Greatest diurnal range (date): 33.9° (23)
Least diurnal range (date) 5.3° (25,29)

Number of days:

Fog 7
Windy 10 (PWG => 30 MPH)
Snow 0
Sleet/Glaze 0
Cloudy 11
Partly Cloudy 12
Sunny/Clear 6
Max temp ≥ 60° 4
Min temp <= 32° 14
Max temp <= 32° 0
Precip ≥ 0.01” 12

Virus-free. www.avast.com

JANUARY 2020 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

JANUARY 2020 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

January 2020 was warmer and a bit wetter than normal. My maximum
temperature average (46.9°) was 5.6° above normal but my minimum
temperature average (32.8°) was much more significantly above normal
(+ 8.3°), resulting in the mean temperature average of 39.9° to be 6.9°
above normal. My total precipitation of 3.17″ was 0.26” above the normal
January value for my station of 2.91”. There were 10 days with
measurable precipitation, almost all of which occurred between the 3rd and
25th. All 1.6 “of the monthly snow occurred on the 7th-8th period (1.6”
on the 7th and a trace on the 8th)

There was one small, moderately cold spell during the month, but there was
only one really cold day when the max temp stayed at or below freezing
(32.0° on the 20th). The low of 19.5° the next morning on the 20th was
the coldest reading of the month. This moderate cold spell fell between 17th
and 21st. One really notable high temperature period occurred during the
month, with the two highest max temperatures of the month occurred on
the 11th (69.6°) and the 12th (66.3°).

The monthly maximum daily precipitation of 1.52″ on the 25th was at the
end of measurable precipitation for the month. Another significant
occurrence took place earlier in the month. The highest (30.72” on the
9th) pressure reading of the month was preceded by the lowest pressure
of the month 5 days earlier on the 4th when 29.49” was recorded. 0.60”
of rain fell at this time (3rd and 4th) which was the 2nd wettest
precipitation event of February. The only other pattern involved with
these pressure extremes is that the warmest period of the month
followed the highest pressure of the month on the 9th, with 69.6°
reached on the 11th and 66.3° on the 12th. The pressures fell off some
during this warm spell but not very much.

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month was 63° on
the 11th and 12th during the aforementioned warm spell. With the colder
temperatures dew points continued much lower than previous months, and
never high enough to produce any discomfort. The lowest dew point
temperature value was reached on the 20th with a 9° reading, on the
coldest max day of the month.

January had 3 cloudy days, 12 partly cloudy days, and 16 clear/sunny days,
not based on my own personal daily observations for the most part but rather
the official F6 sky cover records for Dulles and BWI airports. There were
780 heating degree days and no cooling degree days during the month. There
were 9 foggy days, 12 windy days, and 2 days with snow. The peak wind gust
noted from across the street at the USG gauge during January was 46 MPH
from the NW on the 19th during the strongest cold front of the month.

My maximum temperature frequencies included 2 days between 60° and 69°,
9 days between 50° and 59°, 16 days between 40° and 49°, and 4 days
below 40°. On the minimum temperature frequency side of things, there were
11 days below 30°, 14 days between 30° and 39°, 5 days between 40° and
49°, and 1 day of 50° or above. The coldest daily max temperature day was
32.0° on the 20th while the warmest daily min temp day of 51.3° was
reached on the 11th.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was only 14.1° (- 2.7°).
Our greatest daily range of temperature was 25.4° on the 22nd
(45.3°-19.9°). Once again we only had a total of 4 days with daily ranges
above 20°. Our lowest range of temperature was 3.9° (46.6°-42.7°) on the
2nd. There were only 4 days with diurnal temperature ranges of less than
10° during the month, much less than the 12 recorded in December.

January 2020 was a bit wet and another mild month as we start on a new
year and decade. I barely got below the 20° mark, reaching only 19.5° on
the coldest day of the month. My meager seasonal snowfall of 3.0° was
quite depressing and probably about 20-25% of normal. There still has
been no real ice formation on local ponds. My new Davis Vantage Vue
console has yet to be made operational, but I have been using Marty’s
spare VP2 console to do the trick so far. Marty has resolved a possible
glitch in the Vue console, and we are waiting to get together to set that
up, along with my new Dell computer, which needs to get my Thunderbird
email program to be loaded onto. We still haven’t found the time to do all
this and much more.

JANUARY 2020 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND

SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 46.9° (+ 5.6°)
Average low temperature 32.8° (+ 8.3°)
Mean temperature 39.9° (+6.9°)

Precipitation 3.17″ (+0.26“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 1.52″ (25)
Greatest storm total (dates) 1.53” (24-25)
2020 year-to-date precipitation total 3.17″ (+0.26”)

Total monthly snowfall 1.6” (7-8)
Total seasonal snowfall 3.0”

High temperature for the month (date) 69.6° (11)
Low temperature for the month (date) 19.5° (21)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.72” (9)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.49” (4)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): 46 (19/NW)
(USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month: 780
Cooling degree days for the month: 0

Greatest diurnal range (date): 25.4° (22)
Least diurnal range (date): 3.9° (14)

Number of days:

Fog 9
Windy 12 (PWG => 30 MPH)
Snow 2
Sleet/Glaze 0
Cloudy 16
Partly Cloudy 12
Sunny/Clear 3
Max temp ≥ 60° 2
Min temp <= 32° 16
Max temp <= 32° 1
Precip ≥ 0.01” 10

DECEMBER 2019 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

DECEMBER 2019 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

December 2019 was warmer and a bit wetter than normal. My maximum
temperature average (45.9°) was 0.7° above normal but my minimum
temperature average (33.0°) was much more significantly above normal
(+ 4.8°), resulting in the mean temperature average of 39.4° to be 2.7°
above normal. My total precipitation of 3.26″ was 0.16” above the normal
December value for my station of 3.10”. There were 12 days with
measurable precipitation, roughly 2/3 of which occurred between the 9th
and 17th (more on that later). All 1.4 “ of the monthly snow also occurred
during this period (0.3” on the 11th and 1.1” on the 16th) A trace of snow
also occurred on the 4th. The year-to-date (annual final) total of
precipitation of 49.37” was 7.46” above the normal average annual total of
41.91”.

There were two small, moderately cold spells during the month, but there
was only one really cold day when the max temp stayed below freezing
(30.6° on the 19th). It was the coldest max temp day since March 6
(28.7°) The high of 30.6° and low of 20.0° on the 19th were the coldest
readings of the month. The two moderate cold spells were from the 11th-
12th and 16th-21st. No really notable high temperatures occurred during
the month, with the two highest max temperatures of the month occurring
on the 28th (60.6°) and 30th (61.8°).

The monthly maximum daily precipitation of 0.70″ on the 9th was at the
beginning of the generally wettest period of the month between the 9th
and 17th, a 9 day event when 2.10” of precipitation fell (roughly 64% of
the monthly total) expressed a bit differently than above. Another
significant occurrence took place within this period. The highest (30.79”
on the 12th) pressure reading of the month (and highest since 30.80” was
recorded back on 2/19/2019) was followed by the lowest pressure on the
month about 50 hours later on the 14th when 29.35” was recorded. This
extreme pressure difference within a short period of time occurs more
frequently than you might think, particularly during the colder, stormier
months. The great amplitude in the pressure variations can’t help to
increase the precipitation around the time of this particular type of
occurrence. The only other wet periods during the month were near the
beginning of the month (0.43” total on the 1st and 2nd) and near the end
of the month (0.69” on the 29th and 30th, which also was the warmest
day of the month).

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month was 61° on
the 30th. With the colder temperatures dew points continued much lower
than previous months, and never high enough to produce any discomfort.
The lowest dew point temperature value was reached on the 18th and 19th
with a 7° reading, on two of the coldest days of the month.

December had 11 cloudy days, 13 partly cloudy days, and 7 clear/sunny
days, probably about normal for this time of year. There were 791 heating
degree days and no cooling degree days during the month. There were 11
foggy days, 9 windy days, 3 days with snow and 1 day with glaze. The peak
wind gust noted during December was 45 MPH from the NW on the 5th.

My maximum temperature frequencies included 2 days between 60° and 69°,
9 days between 50° and 59°, 12 days between 40° and 49°, and 8 days
below 40°. On the minimum temperature frequency side of things, there were
10 days below 30°, 17 days between 30° and 39°, and 4 days between 40°
and 49°. The coldest daily max temperature day was 30.6° on the 19th while
the warmest daily min temp day of 45.3° was reached on the 29th.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was only 12.9° (- 4.1°). Our greatest
daily range of temperature was 23.2° on the 26th (54.2°-31.0°). We had a
total of only 4 days with daily ranges above 20°. Our lowest range of
temperature was 3.5° (40.8°-37.3°) on the 2nd. There was a whopping 12
days with diurnal temperature ranges of less than 10° during the month, mostly
during the first half of the month.

December 2019 was a bit wet and mild month with our first measurable snow of
the season occurring on the 11th. Amazingly enough the monthly minimum
temperature did not reach into the teens at all. There has been no real ice
formation on local ponds yet. My new Davis Vantage Vue console has yet to be
made operational, but I have been using Marty’s spare VP2 console to do the
trick so far. Marty has resolved a possible glitch in the Vue console, and we are
waiting to get together to set that up, along with my new Dell computer, which
needs to get my Thunderbird email program to be loaded onto. I am not sure
where we all can find the time to do all this and much more.

DECEMBER 2019 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND – SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 45.9° (+ 0.7°)
Average low temperature 33.0° (+ 4.8°)
Mean temperature 39.4° (+ 2.7°)

Precipitation 3.26″ (+ 0.16“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 0.70″ (9)
Greatest storm total (dates) 1.03” (9-11)
2019 year-to-date precipitation total 49.37″ (+ 7.46”)

High temperature for the month (date) 61.8° (30)
Low temperature for the month (date) 20.0° (19)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.79” (12)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.35” (14)

Peak wind gust (date/direction):45 (5/NW) (USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month: 791
Cooling degree days for the month: 0

Greatest diurnal range (date): 23.2° (26)
Least diurnal range (date) 3.5° (2)

Number of days:

Fog 11
Windy 9
Glaze 1
Cloudy 11
Partly Cloudy 13
Sunny/Clear 7
Max temp ≥ 60° 2
Min temp <= 32° 14
Max temp <= 32° 1
Precip ≥ 0.01” 12

NOVEMBER 2019 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

NOVEMBER 2019 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

November 2019 was colder and drier than normal for a change. My maximum
temperature average (50.6°) was 5.3° below normal but my minimum
temperature average (36.4°) was even below normal but no nearly as much
(- 0.4°), resulting in the mean temperature average of 43.0°, 3.4° below
normal. My total precipitation of 1.54″ was 2.04” below the normal November
value for my station of 3.58”. There were still only 7 days with measurable
precipitation, all occurring between the 7th and 24th. Traces of snow
(flurries) fell on the 8th and 12th The year-to-date total of precipitation
of 46.11” was 8.00” above the normal at this point of the year of 38.11”.

There were several cold spells throughout the month, but there was only one
spectacularly cold day, the 13th, during November. The high of 34° and low
of 22.5° were the coldest readings of the month, and coldest since early
March. No really notable high temperatures occurred during the month, as
the highest temperature occurred on the 11th with a modest 66° reading.

The monthly maximum daily precipitation of 0.61″ on the 24th was at the
end of the wettest period of the month, a 3 day event when a modest
1.21” fell between the 22nd and 24th. There were no other significant
rainy days at all the rest of the month, nothing above 0.13”. I enjoyed
the 2 days of snow flurries on the 8th and 12th, hopefully a harbinger
for the coming winter. Despite the relative dryness during the month,
with the colder temperatures, moisture was still abundant to keep any
sort of drought from returning.

The highest barometric pressure reading of the month of only 30.50”
occurred on the 6th during the end of our beginning of the month dry
spell. The lowest reading was 29.49” on the 24th during the wettest
day of the month.

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month was 52°
on the 27th. With the colder temperatures dew points were much lower
than previous months, and never high enough to produce any discomfort.
The lowest dew point temperature value was reached on the 16th with a
10° reading, but the teens held all day on the coldest day of the month
on the 13th (19°-13°).

November had 12 cloudy days, 11 partly cloudy days, and 7 clear/sunny
days, probably about normal for this time of year. There were 660
heating degree days and no cooling degree days during the month. There
were 5 foggy days, 4 windy days, but no thunder days. The peak wind
gust noted during November was 57 MPH from the NW on the 27th.

My maximum temperature frequencies included 3 days between 60° and
69°, 15 days between 50° and 59°, 11 days between 40° and 49°, and
one day below 40°. On the minimum temperature frequency side of things,
there were 5 days below 30°, 20 days between 30° and 39°, and 5 days
between 40° and 49°. The coldest daily max temperature day was 34.0°
on the 13th while the warmest daily min temp of 45.4° was reached on
the 27th.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was only 15.2° (- 3.9°). Our
greatest daily range of temperature was 28° on the 11th (66.0°-38.0°).
We had a total of 8 days with daily ranges above 20°. Our lowest range
of temperature was 5.5° (42.6°-36.7°) on the 18th. There were 4 days
with diurnal temperature ranges of less than 10° during the month,
distributed evenly throughout the month.

November 2019 was dry and cold with our first freezing minimum of the
season reached late on the 8th, a growing trend over the past several
years. Our first freezing min now seems to occur the first week or so of
November. The fall color change finally occurred gradually during the first
few weeks of the month, albeit a rather dull change as it was. With the
end of November came the official end of the hurricane season, a rather
modest one this year. I now have a new Davis Vantage Vue console to read
off the wind data from the USG station across the street, while keeping
my master home station on my original console still mounted on the wall
next to my computer.

NOVEMBER 2019 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 50.6° (- 5.3°)
Average low temperature 36.4° (- 0.4°)
Mean temperature 43.0° (- 3.4°)

Precipitation 1.54″ (- 2.04“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 0.61″ (24)
Greatest storm total (dates) 1.21” (22-24)
2019 year-to-date precipitation total 46.11″ (+8.00”)

High temperature for the month (date) 66.0° (11)
Low temperature for the month (date) 22.5° (13)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.50” (6)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.49” (24)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): 57 (27/NW)
(USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month: 660
Cooling degree days for the month: 0

Greatest diurnal range (date): 28.0° (11)
Least diurnal range (date) 5.5° (18)

Number of days:
Fog 5
Windy 4
Thunder 0
Cloudy 12
Partly Cloudy 11
Sunny/Clear 7
Max temp ≥ 70° 0
Min temp <= 32° 7
Min temp > 50° 12
Precip ≥ 0.01” 7

OCTOBER 2019 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

OCTOBER 2019 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

October 2019 was still warmer than normal like September, but unlike last
month, we did get much needed rainfall finally in the second half of the
month. All but 0.09 inches of rain fell from October 16-31. My max temp
(68.4°) was 2.1° above normal but my min temp (52.9°) was even more
significantly 7.4° above normal, resulting in the mean temperature (60.6°)
to be 4.7° above normal. My total precipitation of 6.32″ was 2.89” above
the normal October value for my station of 3.43”. There was still only 8
days with measurable precipitation, concentrated in that last half of the
month period when 6.23” of rain fell. The year-to-date total of
precipitation of 44.57” was 9.34” above the normal at this point of the
year of 35.23”.

There were a few somewhat notable cool periods (max temps generally
between the mid 50s to low 60s, concentrated between the 16th and
23rd) during the month, The lowest temperature of the month of 39.2°
on the 19th, in the middle of this period.

The monthly maximum daily precipitation of 1.78″ waited till the end
of the month to fall on the trick or treaters on Halloween. With
additional rain on the 30th the two day storm total was 2.16”.
Three other days had one inch + rains during the month (1.28” on
the 16th, 1.06” on the 20th, and 1.17” on the 27th. Conversely,
the first 15 days of the month were mostly dry, with only 0.09”
falling during that period. We started the month in a moderate
drought, and only after a few of these one inch rains later in the
month did we get out of this moderate drought.

The highest barometric pressure reading of the month of only 30.44”
occurred on the 5th during our warm, dry spell during that first week
of the month. The lowest reading was 29.49” on the 31st during our
biggest rainstorm of the month.

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month was 71°
on both the warmest day of the month on the 2nd and wettest day of
the month on the 31st. the 4th. There were 8 days in October when
dew point temps were 60° or higher, mostly during that first week,
The lowest dew point temperature value was reached on the 17th and
18th when 33° was reached during our aforementioned coolest period
of the month. There were only 9 days during the month when the dew
point temps were below 40°, 4 days of which logically fell during our
coolest period between the 16th and 19th.

October had 11 cloudy days, 13 partly cloudy days, and 7 clear/sunny
days, a bit below normal sunny days during this normally quite sunny,
dry month. There were 174 heating degree days and 39 cooling degree
days during the month. There were 5 foggy days, 8 windy days, but no
thunder days. The spike in the number of windy days was mostly due to
the start of using the wind data from the USG (University of Shady
Grove) station across the street. I actually quantified the peak wind
gust days of over 25 MPH as windy days. This may change month to
month. I will have to see how it plays out. The peak wind gust noted
during October was 53 MPH from the NW on the 31st.

Daily max/min temperatures started to vary more with the tendency
for greater variability in the day to day patterns. My maximum
temperature frequencies included 1 day over 90°, 1 day between 80°
and 89°, 9 days between 70° and 79°, 18 days between 60° and 69°,
and 2 days between 50° and 59°. On the minimum temperature
frequency side of things, there was 1 day below 40°, 8 days
between 40° and 49°, 18 days between 50° and 59° and 4 days
60° and above. The coldest daily max temperature was 55.8° on
the cloudy, rainy 20th while the warmest daily min temp of 68.3°
was reached on both the 2nd (hottest day of the month) and the
next day on the 3rd.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was only 15.5° (- 5.3°).
Our greatest daily range of temperature was 26.3° on the 31st
(75.6°-49.3°). We had a total of 8 days with daily ranges above
20°. Our lowest range of temperature was 3.4° (55.8°-52.4°) on
the 20th (our coolest max temperature day of the month). There
were 7 days with diurnal temperature ranges of less than 10°
throughout the month, some of which occurred on significantly
wet days.(but not all of them).

October 2019 was a not only warm, but frost/”freezeless”, a
growing trend over the past several years. Our first freezing
min now seems to mostly occur the first week of November.
But to not even have a frost all month is quite unusual. That
may have been a contributing factor to the lack of vibrant
colors in this year’s fall leaf change, with muted changes
extending well into November. The overall warmth continues
as part of our global warming phase. No thunderstorms during
the month were also a notable anomaly. I now have a new
Davis console to read off the wind data from the USG station
across the street, while keeping my master home station on my
original console still mounted on the wall next to my computer.

OCTOBER 2019 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 68.4° (+2.1°)
Average low temperature 52.9° (+7.4°)
Mean temperature 60.6° (+4.7°)

Precipitation 6.32″ (+2.89“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 1.78″ (31)
Greatest storm total (dates) 2.16” (30-31)
2019 year-to-date precipitation total 44.57″ (+9.34”)

High temperature for the month (date) 92.1° (2)
Low temperature for the month (date) 39.2° (19)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.44” (5)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.49” (31)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): 53 (31/NW)
(USG data across the street)

Heating degree days for the month: 174
Cooling degree days for the month: 39

Greatest diurnal range (date): 26.3° (31)
Least diurnal range (date) 3.4° (20)

Number of days:

Fog 5
Windy 8
Thunder 0
Cloudy 11
Partly Cloudy 13
Sunny/Clear 7
Max temp ≥ 90° 1
Min temp < 50° 9
Min temp > 60° 4
Precip ≥ 0.01” 8

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY AND STATISTICS FOR WEST ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FOR THE NJWO BLOG

SEPTEMBER 2019 MONTHLY SUMMARY ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
by Kevin Shaw, Observer

September 2019 was much drier and much warmer than normal. It was the
warmest September I have had at my new location (back to 2017 only) and
my driest month ever (one again only going back to January 2017) My max
temp (82.0°) was 4.9° above normal but my min temp (64.2°) was even
more significantly 7.1° above normal, resulting in the mean temperature
(73.1°) to be 6.0° above normal. My total precipitation of 0.59″ was
3.44” below the normal September value for my station of 4.03”. There
were well below normal 3 days with measurable precipitation, widely
scattered through the month.

There were no notable relatively cool periods (max temps below 80°) during
the month, only totaling 12 days during the entire month. Conversely, there
were 2 two-day short hot periods during the month on the 11th and 12th
and later on the 22nd and 23rd when I had 4 of the 5 days of max temps
over 90 for the month, including the month’s hottest reading of 94.2° on
the 11th.

The monthly maximum daily precipitation of a meager 0.39″ during the
month’s only thunderstorm on the 2nd was the only somewhat wet
day of the month. Conversely there were two notably significant dry
periods during September when no rain fell (10 straight days from the
3rd-12th and 12 straight days from the 14th – 25th). With the very
dry month, these long, dry, generally warm periods did start showing
adverse effects on the vegetation in the immediate area, as we
officially were placed into a moderate drought status towards month’s
end.

The highest barometric pressure reading of the month of only 30.39”
occurred on the 13th during one of our brief cool spells during the
month. The lowest readings were a modest 29.77” on the 6th and 26th
during relatively cool spells during the month.

The highest dew point temperature reached during the month was 75°
on the 4th. There were 8 days in September when dew point temps
were 70° or higher, mostly during the first half of the month, The
lowest dew point temperature value was reached on the 19th when a
value of 36° was reached during our coolest period of the month,
when a 50.2° minimum temp was reached on the morning of the 20th,
coldest reading of the month. There were only 4 days during the month
when the dew point temps were below 50°, all during a generally cool
period between the 19th and 25th.

August had 8 cloudy days, 17 partly cloudy days, and 5 clear/sunny
days with once again an unusual higher amount of partly cloudy days
due to plenty of mid and high-level moisture that rarely ever reached
the ground unfortunately. There were 2 heating degree days and 244
cooling degree days during the month. There were 4 foggy days,
1 windy day, and 1 day with thunder.

Once again daily max/min temperatures didn’t vary very much, still a
typical trend during the late summer period. My maximum temperature
frequencies included 5 days over 90°, 13 days between 80° and 89°,
and 12 days between 70° and 79°. On the minimum temperature
frequency side of things, there were 6 days below 60°, 20 days
between 60° and 69° and 4 days 70° and above. The coldest daily
max temperature was 71.7° on the cloudy, light rainy 30th while the
warmest daily min temp of 72.5° was on the 12th, during the hottest
2 day spell of the month.

The diurnal range daily monthly average was 17.8° (- 2.2°). Our
greatest daily range of temperature was 28.3° on the 21st (87.8°-
59.5°). We had a total of 10 days with daily ranges above 20°. Our
lowest range of temperature was 5.9° (71.7°-65.8°) on the 30th
(our coolest max temperature day of the month). There were only
3 total days with diurnal temperature ranges of less than 10°
throughout the month, two of which occurred on two of the three
measurable precipitation days.

September 2019 was an atypical end of summer month for this
year, which had at least been running wet. The overall warmth
continues as part of our global warming phase. The thunderstorm
on the 2nd was loosely tied in with monster hurricane Dorian.
Other tropical activity during the month went elsewhere generally.
An instrumentation problem surfaced during September, as signals
from a newly installed VP2 across the street at the University of
Shady Grove (USG) started interfering with my station signals.
The initial key to this happening was getting wind data, which is
not possible from my station as I don’t have a working anemometer.
So the wind data is coming from the 60 foot high station on the
roof of the building across the street. During a particularly windy
period very recently, I got wildly inaccurate, very high rainfall
readings from it, as the wind shook the anemometer and tipped
the spoons way too often. Marty and I will be working on that in
the coming weeks. Rooftop vs ground data generally is not as
accurate, save for pure wind data.

SEPTEMBER 2019 – ROCKVILLE 2.8 WNW MARYLAND
SUMMARY STATISTICS

Average high temperature 82.0° (+ 4.9°)
Average low temperature 64.2° (+ 7.1°)
Mean temperature 73.1° (+ 6.0°)

Precipitation 0.59″ (- 3.44“)
Greatest daily amount (date) 0.39″ (2)
Greatest storm total (dates) 0.39” (2)
2019 year-to-date precipitation total 38.25″ (+ 7.52”)

High temperature for the month (date) 94.2° (11)
Low temperature for the month (date) 50.2° (20)

Highest barometric pressure (date) 30.39” (13)
Lowest barometric pressure (date) 29.77” (6,26)

Peak wind gust (date/direction): N/A

Heating degree days for the month: 2
Cooling degree days for the month: 244

Greatest diurnal range (date): 28.3° (21)
Least diurnal range (date) 5.9° (30)

Number of days:

Fog 4
Windy 1
Thunder 1
Cloudy 8
Partly Cloudy 17
Sunny/Clear 5
Max temp ≥ 90° 5
Min temp < 60° 6
Min temp => 70° 4
Precip ≥ 0.01” 3

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