The Atlantic Coast Observer Network - Virginia/North Carolina/South Carolina
http://members.cox.net/wxr/acon.htm

SUMMARY OF CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA 


APRIL 2009


... ALL LOCATIONS NEAR TO ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES...
...MIXED BAG FOR RAINFALL DEPARTURES...
  • EXPANDING CLIMATE SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA): Developing the National Climate Service    Check the details and testimonials at http://science.house.gov:80/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?newsid=2449.


  • nowCOAST  UPDATE    Kevin Shaw of ACON - DC, MD, DE sends this note and info: "Just got this announcement from my friend John Kelley (John.Kelley@noaa.gov) who is the head Meteorologist on the nowCOAST development team. Many of you have used this program in the past. Try it again with these new enhancements if you get a chance. Feel free to give John any and all feedback on what you see, and any problems or comments you might have. Thanks!" The new version of nowCOAST was released yesterday afternoon. The new version added surface weather forecasts from NWS' National Digital Forecast Database for HI, AK, and PR and hourly surface wind and air temperature analyses (5 km resolution) from NWS/NCEP's Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA) System for CONUS. For detailed info on the new version please see http://nowcoast.noaa.gov/newVersionInfo.htm. You can see the new version at http://nowcoast.noaa.gov. Sincerely - John, Jason, Sree, and Micah, nowCOAST development team, NOAA/NOS/Coast Survey Development Lab


  • TROPICAL STORM (2008) FAY ANALYSIS    Here's an interesting analysis from the CoCoRaHS website forwarded to us by Kevin Shaw. http://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=ts_fay


  • WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS!   Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena- lightning. But don't be fooled, lightning strikes year-round. The goal of this Website is to safeguard U.S. residents from lightning. Check out this NWS lightning safety week subpage at: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov:80/.


  • EASTERN U.S. WEATHER CONFERENCE    The annual Eastern U.S. Weather Conference for 2009, will be held at the Sheraton, Providence Airport. You do not have to be a member of EasternUSwx.com to attend. The conference is open to all who have a passion for weather and want to learn more about the subject. In addition to the main day of the conference, highlights this year include: three workshops on Friday, July 17, and a Friday night get together/reception where you will have a chance to meet folks who share similar enthusiasm for a variety of weather-related topics. For more details, visit the organization's website at http://conference.easternuswx.com:80/index.html.


  • THE NOAA RESOURCES PAGE    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has many exciting informative resources available for the public to view and learn about the oceans and atmosphere. CoCoRaHS in partnership with NOAA will continue to strive to bring you the latest products and information as it becomes available. To learn more about NOAA Resources listed on the CoCoRaHS Web site click on the NOAA logo on the left side of our home page: www.cocorahs.org or click here: http://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=noaa.


  • DROUGHT MONITOR    http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html    More information on drought can be found at NOAA's Drought Information Center http://www.drought.noaa.gov/
  • REMINDER All National Weather Service station data listed herein is preliminary and may be subject to change.  The data has not been certified and cannot be used in legal actions.  Only reports certified by the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC can be used for these purposes.

  • ACON VA/NC/SC Member Station Extremes - APRIL 2009
    State
    Maximum Temperature
    Minimum
    Temperature
    Warmest
    Average
    Temperature
    Coldest
    Average
    Temperature
    Maximum
    Precipitation
    Minimum
    Precipitation
    Virginia
    97°
    Hampton
    27°
    Blacksburg
    Bridgewater
    61.7°
    Norfolk (FHC)
    51.7°
    New Market
    4.52"
    Chantilly
    1.89"
    Norfolk (FHC)
    North Carolina
    92°
    Raleigh (RDU)
    28°
    Asheville
    63.3°
    Fayetteville
    54.9°
    Asheville
    3.54"
    Asheville
    1.63"
    Raleigh (RAL)
    South Carolina
    91°
    Columbia
    31°
    Anderson
    64.4°
    Charleston
    60.1°
    Anderson
    5.24"
    Charleston
    1.26"
    North Myrtle Beach


    ( For an explanation of column headers in the following tables,
    please note the column denotations table below. )


    TEMPERATURE / WINDS/ ELEMENTS

    VIRGINIA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
    
         STN  A      B    C     C1     D    E  F    G    H  I  J K K1  L  M      N   N1   N2   O P Q R R1 R2   S   CWA
         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         BCB 64.7  40.4  52.6   +2.6  86   25  27   12   0  0  5 0 72% 36 290°   3   6.3       2 0 0 0  3     2400 AKQ
         BRI 65.0  42.2  53.6   +0.9  90   26  27    9   1  0  3 0 54%                         0 0 0 0  0     0510/1600 LWX
         CEN 66.6  44.7  55.7   +3.0  92   27  33   13   3  0  0 0 60% 44 360°   4   4.0  360° 0 0 0 0  2     2400 LWX
         CHT 67.2  44.3  55.7   +1.9  92.3 25  31.0  8   3  0  1 0 66% 18 160°25,27  0.8  180° 3 0 0 1  2     2400 LWX
         CHO 67.0  42.7  54.8         91   25  28    9   1  0  2 0     46 220°  26   4.9       2 0 0 0  2     2400 LWX
         DAN 71.9  46.2  59.1   +1.8  91   25  32    8   0  1  2 0 61% 45 280°  22   6.8       3 0 0 0  1     2400 RNK
         DCA 66.8  47.2  57.0   +0.9  92   26  36    8   1  0  0 0 60% 43 300°   3   8.9       3 0 0 0  0     2400 LWX
         IAD 67.5  44.2  55.8   +2.7  92 26,27 31    9   3  0  3 0 60% 43 280°   3   7.8       4 0 0 0  2     2400 LWX
         FCH 65.9  44.4  55.2         92 25,27 36    7   3  0  0 0     40        4             4 1 0 0  4     2400 LWX
         FRV 65.6  43.5  54.7         93   26  31    8   3  0  4 0                             2              2400 LWX
         GAV 69.93 47.33 58.63  +2.0  93   26  34    8   3  0  0 0 64% 41 250°   3             4 0 0 0  2     2400 AKQ
         HAM 69    50    59     +1.8  97   25  37   17   3  0  0 0 50% 36 200°  22   6.0  180° 2 0 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         HDV 67.2  44.1  55.6   -0.3  92 25-26 32   13   3  0  1 0 62%                         5 0 0 0  1     2400 LWX
         LDY 68.1  47.3  57.6   +0.1  91   25  34    9   2  0  0 0 50%                         1 0 0 0  1     2400 AKQ
         LYH 68.6  43.2  55.9   +0.6  91 25,26 32    8   1  0  2 0 62% 39 280°   3   6.1       1 0 0 0  1     2400 RNK
         NEW 65.6  37.8  51.7         90 25,26 17   13   3  0 13 0     35 270°   3                            1700 LWX
                                           27
         NPN 71.3  48.2  59.7         93.8 25  33.9 17   3  0  0 0     36 200°  10             3 0 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         NOR 71.1  49.1  60.1   +2.5  92 25,26 35   17   3  0  0 0                             1 1 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         ORF 69.6  49.3  59.4   +2.0  90 25,26 36   17   2  0  0 0 60% 47 210°  20   9.6       2 1 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         FHC 71.61 51.79 61.70  +4.3  92.5 25  38.2  8   3  0  1 0 66% 40 220°   3   5.0  200°                2400 AKQ
         POR 72.0  49.1  60.6   +1.4  93   26  34    8   3  0  0 0 72% 39 202°   3   5.4  230° 1 1 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         CTR 71.3  44.7  57.9   +0.8  94.7 25  29.8  8   3  0  3 0 66% 26 270°  10   1.0  150° 1 0 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         MEC 74.81 47.9  60.9         95 25,26 33 9,13   4  0  0 0                             3 0 0 0  0     1700 AKQ
         RIC 70.6  47.1  58.8   +1.8  92   25  34    9   3  0  0 0 60% 43 340°  22   8.6       2 0 0 0  2     2400 AKQ
         ROA 68.4  46.6  57.5   +1.4  91   25  35    7   0  0  1 0 55% 48 230°  25   7.8       0 0 0 0  0     2400 AKQ
         WAL 65.3  46.7  56.0   +2.8  89 26,27 32   17   0  0  1 0     43 070°  29  10.1       2 0 0 0  2     2400 AKQ
         WOO 64.6  45.8  55.2   +0.1  92 26,27 32   12   2  0  0 0                             0 0 0 0  5     2400 LWX
         WSH 66.7  44.3  55.5   +0.15 94.9 26  30    8   3  0  2 0     25 180°   3   1.8       1 0 0 0  0     2400 LWX
    
    NORTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
        
         STN  A      B    C     C1    D    E  F      G  H  I  J K K1  L  M     N    N1   N2  O P Q R R1 R2  S    CWA
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         AVL 66.9  42.9  54.9  +0.8  84 24,25 28     8  0  0  3 0 65% 39 330° 22    6.6      4 0 0 0  1     2400 GSP
         MRH 68.5  52.8  60.7        75 24,29 38    17  0  0  0 0     48 220°  6   10.9      6 0 0 0  0     2400 MHX
         CLT 72.6  47.4  60.0  -0.9  88 24,25 34     8  0  0  0 0 72% 37 230° 20    8.1      1 0 0 0  0     2400 GSP
                                                                      37 210° 21
         ECG 71.9  49.8  60.9  +0.8  89    26 32    17  0  0  1 0 61% 43 240°  3   10.1      5 0 0 0  2     2400 AKQ
                                                                      43 300° 22
         FAY 75.8  50.7  63.3        89 24,25 35     8  0  0  0 0 57% 47 240°  6    9.3      6 0 0 0  3     2400 RAH
         GSO 70.5  47.9  59.3  +1.8  88 24,25 32     8  0  0  1 0 58% 38 270°  3    9.1      3 0 0 0  3     2400 RAH
                                                                      38 210° 20 
                                                                      38 290° 21
         HSE 67.5  54.9  61.2  +1.4  78    28 39    13  0  0  0 0     47 260° 11   10.4      0 0 0 0  0     2400 MHX
         HKY 70.3  47.2  58.8  +0.5  88    25 34     8  0  0  0 0     38 300°  3    5.4      4 0 0 0  1     2400 GSP
         LBT 74.9  50.0  62.5  +2.0  89    24 31     8  0  0  1 0   % 48 240°  6    6.9      6 0 0 0  4     2400 ILM
         EWN 73.4  49.6  61.5  -0.5  88    26 34    17  0  0  0 0     44 280° 22    7.8      5 0 0 0  4     2400 MHX
         RDU 74.7  50.1  62.4  +3.3  92    25 32     8  1  0  1 0 58% 43 230°  3    8.1      2 0 0 0  0     2400 RAH
         RAL 73.6  48.2  60.9  +1.8  90 26,27 34     8  2  0  7 0     32      22             1 0 0 0  2     2400 RAH
         ROX 70.4  48.4  59.6  +2.3  89    25 34     8  0  0  0 0 63% 41 270° 14        270° 1 1 0 0  2     2400 RAH
         ILM 73.8  52.5  63.2  +0.5  85    26 34    17  0  0  0 0 65% 46 260°  6    8.8      2 0 0 0  4     2400 ILM
                                                                      46 290°  9
    SOUTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
         STN  A      B    C     C1    D    E  F      G  H  I  J K K1  L  M     N   N1   N2   O P Q R R1 R2  S    CWA
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         AND 72.1  48.1  60.1  -0.5  88 25,26 31     8  0  0  1 0     53 300° 10   6.5       5 0 0 0  1     2400 GSP
         CAE 75.7  50.4  63.0  -0.2  91    24 32     8  2  0  1 0 59% 40 270°  6   7.9       3 0 0 0  1     2400 CAE
                                                                      40 290° 10 
         CRE 71.3  53.3  62.3  +0.3  78    29 36    17  0  0  0 0 70% 45 240°  6   8.7       2 0 0 0  7     2400 ILM
         CHS 75.4  53.5  64.4  +0.2  88    24 36     8  0  0  0 0     38 210° 10   9.4       3 0 0 0  2     2400 CHS
         FLO 75.3  50.8  63.1   0.0  90    24 32     8  1  0  4 0 63% 44 280°  6   7.7       2 0 0 0  2     2400 ILM
         GSP 72.6  48.9  60.8  +1.8  89    24 34     8  0  0  0 0 57% 38 230° 21   7.1       4 1 0 0  1     2400 GSP
         OGB 75.8  51.0  63.4        90    24 32     8  1  0  1 0     38 250°  6   7.2       4 0 0 0  6     2400 CAE
    NEARBY STATIONS
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
         STN  A      B    C     C1    D     E  F     G  H  I  J K K1  L  M     N   N1   N2   O P Q R R1 R2  S    CWA
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TRI 68.6  42.2  55.4  +0.8  87 26,27  31    8  0  0  4 0     43 240° 21   5.6       4 1 0 0  0     2400 MRX
         DAV             45    -1    84    28  19    8  0  1 14 0                                           0700 PBZ

    (Please note the column denotations table below.)
    PRECIPITATION / BAROMETRIC PRESSURE

    VIRGINIA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
         STN  T      T1     U  U1   V    V1   W X   Y      Z  1   2 3    4    5     6   6A   7    7A    8    S
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         BCB  2.98  -0.85 1.21 20 1.21    20 13 1 13.12  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 19.1                             2400
         BRI  3.36  +0.62 0.74 27 0.76 20-21 10 0  7.04  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  9.5  30.40  30 29.50   6        0510/1600
         CEN  4.29  +0.85 0.91 11 1.33 20,21 13 0  9.82  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  8.7  30.46  29 29.22   3 29.84  2400
         CHT  4.52  +1.30 1.78 20 1.80 20-21 13 1 10.06  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  7.1  30.469 29 29.168  3 29.98  2400
         CHO  3.06        1.13 20 1.15 19-20 14 1  7.40                                    29.17   3        2400
         DAN  2.45  -1.38 0.80 10 0.80    10 12 0 10.80  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  4.5  30.40  27 29.24   3        2400
         DCA  4.22  +1.45 1.19 20 1.20 20-21 13 1  9.22  0.0      0 0  0.0  7.5            29.17   3        2400
         IAD  4.12  +0.90 1.63 20 1.63    20 13 1  9.29  0.0      0 0  0.0  8.0            29.17   3        2400
         FCH  4.34        1.50 20 1.67 20-21 12 1  9.88  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  9.6                             2400
         FRV  3.24        0.83 20 0.84       10 0  7.87  0.0  0   0 0       1.8  30.46  29 29.16   3        2400
         GAV  3.05  -0.02 0.80 15 0.81 14-15 13 0  9.95  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 11.6  30.42 29, 29.24   3 29.98  2400
                                                                                        30
         HAM  2.23  -1.12 0.76  6 0.80   5-6 10 0 11.00  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  0.0  30.37  29 29.22   3 30.00  2400
         HDV  4.22  -0.55 1.30 20            13 0 10.09  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  8.5  30.43  29 29.13   3        2400
         LDY  1.94  -0.95 0.72 20 0.80 20-21 10 0  6.99  0.0  0   0 0  0.3 10.4  30.44  29 29.23   3 29.88  2400
         LYH  2.87  -0.59 1.11 20 1.15 19-20 11 1 10.47  0.0  0   0 0  0.0 11.2  30.41  27 29.23   3        2400
         NEW  3.51        0.94 20            11 0  9.66   T   7   1 0   T   9.8  30.68 29, 29.62   3        1700
                                                                                        30         
         NPN  2.07        0.84  6 0.84     6 11 0 12.30  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  2.0  30.42  29 29.27   3        2400
         NOR  2.57  -1.44 1.13 20 1.13    20 10 1 11.87  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  0.5                             2400
         ORF  2.28  -1.10 0.87 20 0.87    20 10 0 10.64  0.0      0 0  0.0  0.5  30.41  27 29.26   3        2400
         FHC  1.89  -1.49 0.50 20 0.63 14-15 11 0  9.74  0.0      0 0  0.0  0.5  30.487  6 29.440 19 30.104 2400
         POR  2.71  -0.76 0.99 20 0.99    20 11 0 11.00  0.0      0 0  0.0  0.7  30.40  27 29.27   3 29.981 2400
         CTR  3.14  -0.09 0.93 20 0.96 20-21 13 0 11.10  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  8.5  30.40  29 29.25   3 29.970 0400
         MEC  2.24        0.63 14 0.67 14-15  9 0  9.17    T  7   1 0    T 10.6  30.18  29 29.09   6 29.76  0700
         RIC  2.56  -0.62 0.66 20 0.69   2-3 11 0  7.56  0.0      0 0  0.0  6.6  30.44  29 29.26   3        2400
         ROA  3.20  -0.41 0.95  2 1.22   2-3 12 0 10.61  0.0  0   0 0  0.0  4.0  30.41  27 29.22   3        2400
         AKQ                                             0.0           0.0  0.0                             2400
         WAL  4.22  +1.44 1.27 14 1.30 13-14 11 1  5.25  0.0      0 0  0.0  2.4  30.44  29 29.21   3        2400
         WOO  3.57  +0.37         0.75 19-20 16 0  8.52  0.1  8   1 0  0.1  9.6  30.58  29 29.44   3        0800
         WSH  5.39  +1.46 1.76  3 2.08   2-3 15 2 10.68   T  7,8  2 0   T  10.2  30.50  29 29.26   3        2400
    NORTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
         STN  T      T1     U  U1   V    V1   W X   Y      Z    1 2 3   4    5     6    6A   7    7A    8     S
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         AVL  3.54  +0.04 1.19 10 1.19    10  9 1 11.88     T 6,7 2 0    T  5.1            29.34   3         2400
         MRH  2.56        0.94 14 0.95 14-15 10 0  9.33   0.0   0 0 0  0.0    T  30.47  27 29.33   6         2400
         CLT  2.30  -0.65 1.12 10 1.12    10  8 1 12.43   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  4.0            29.34   3         2400
         ECG  1.71  -1.29 0.65 20 0.67 19-20  9 0  8.89   0.0     0 0  0.0  0.8  30.43  27 29.30   6         2400
         FAY  1.95        0.82 14 0.83 14-15 10 0  9.12                                    29.29   3         2400
         GSO  3.02  -0.41 1.11 10 1.11    10 11 1 11.77   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  6.9            29.29   3         2400
         HSE  3.08  -0.21 1.28 14 1.72 14-15  9 1 11.92   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  2.3  30.46  27 29.30   6         2400
         HKY  3.32  -0.38 1.39 10 1.42 10-11 12 1 13.34   0.0   0 0 0  0.0   T             29.34   3         2400
         LBT  1.92  -0.91 1.15 14 1.16 14-15  6 1  5.61                          30.42  27 29.33   6         2400
         EWN  2.92  -0.48 1.95 14 1.95    14  8 1  9.70   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  1.5            29.29   6         2400
         RDU  1.69  -1.11 0.46  6 0.46     6  7 0 12.70   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  6.7            29.29   3         1900
         RAL  1.63  -1.17         0.36   5-6  7 0 13.32   0.0   0 0 0  0.0 10.1  30.42  27 29.37   3         2400
         ROX  2.28  -0.65 0.47 20 0.47    20 12 0 13.98   0.5   0 0 0  0.0  8.3  30.45  27 29.35   6  30.04  2200
         ILM  1.67  -1.27 0.56  2 0.56     2  7 0  8.20   0.0   0 0 0  0.0  1.0  30.47  27 29.36   6         2400
    SOUTH CAROLINA
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
         STN  T      T1     U  U1   V    V1   W X   Y     Z   1  2 3  4     5     6    6A   7    7A    8     S
         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
         AND  3.38  +0.03 1.69 10  1.69    10 10 1 17.34  0.0  0 0 0   0.0    T            29.34   3         2400
         CAE  2.76  -0.22 0.95 10  0.95    10  7 0 10.74  0.0  0 0 0   0.0    T  30.44  27 29.41   3         2400
         CRE  1.26  -0.86 0.85  2  0.85     2  8 0  7.82                         30.47  27 29.39   6         2400
         CHS  5.24  +2.47 3.57  2  3.57     2 10 1 10.70  0.0          0.0    T  30.46  27 29.47   3         2400
         FLO  1.60  -1.19 0.49 14  0.55 10-11 10 0  6.98                         30.45  27 29.40   6         2400
         GSP  4.23  +0.69 1.90 10  1.90    10 10 1 18.09  0.0  0 0 0   0.0  4.4            29.34   3         2400
         OGB  3.01        1.21  2  1.25   2-3  9 1 11.43                         30.45  27 29.44   3         2400
    NEARBY STATIONS
    [Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
       
         STN  T      T1     U  U1   V      V1  W X   Y      Z  1  2  3   4     5     6   6A   7    7A 8      S
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TRI  2.72  -0.51 0.74 10 0.75 10-11 12 0 11.57  0.5   7  3  0   0.5   8.3 30.41 17 29.22   3        2400
         DAV  6.40  +2.1  0.97 16            17 0 23.82  4.9   8  6  3  14.0 189.0                           0700    

    Virginia:

    Arlington - From NWS WBC come these notes: " TEMPERATURES THIS APRIL WERE ABOVE NORMAL. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 92F ON APRIL 26TH WAS THE HIGHEST RECORDED TEMPERATURE AT DCA IN APRIL SINCE 2002...AND ONLY THE SECOND TIME IT HAS BEEN THAT HOT DURING APRIL IN THE LAST 19 YEARS. PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH WAS ABOVE NORMAL. THIS WAS THE FIRST MONTH WITH ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008...BUT THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE APRIL MEASURING ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION. " [ + + ] 

    Bridgewater - " The average temperature for the month was 0.87 degrees above normal. The precipitation was .62 inches above normal. Precipitation for the year is now 7.04 inches which is 3.34 inches below normal. Strange weather occurred on April 22. Small hail fell in the area. In fact the precipitation looked more like snowballs. It was not a thunderstorm. " - [ + + ] - additional notes from Clayton

    Centreville - " A bit warmer and wetter in April than we ought to be but not by much. The average daily temperature was just three degrees above the 52.7° normal monthly temperature mark while the rain finally provided a surplus; the first since September last year. The high temperatures for the month just missed exceeding the record set in 2002 by a single degree. On April 27th we recorded 92° ending a three day run of nineties beginning on the 25th. The lowest reading of 33° occurred on April 13th; not a chance of a record with that one. The average highs and lows were within a reasonable range with 66.6° recorded for an average maximum; 1.4° above the 65.2° figure. The average lows behaved as we have come to expect; warmer than expected. This time 44.7° was averaged out to be 4.5° over the 40.2° April average low. Sunny Centreville had 13 days with rainfall this month amounting to 4.29" and finally going in the logbook as 0.85" to the plus side. It wasn't since last September that we were able to declare a surplus for the month. The largest single daily amount was recorded on April 11th when 0.91" accumulated in eight hours. The 2009 annual rainfall summery places our deficit at -3.86". When the preceding 12 months are considered however, we can still boast of a 1.75" surplus. Watch out May, your flowers are along the way. " - [ + + ] - Paul sends these notes

    Chantilly - Russ reports: " April was mild and wet, which put a dent in the rain deficit. The average temperature was 1.9° above normal and precipitation was 1.3" above normal. Temperatures ran into record high territory, at the end of the month. Record high temperatures occurred on the 25th (92.3°), 26th (91.5°), and 27th (91.5°). Record high minimum temperatures occurred on the 27th (59.1°) and 28th (60.1°). Snowfall for the month was 0.4" below average, with no trace. Total snowfall for the season was 7.1". Record precipitation fell on the 11th (0.83"). Thunderstorms rumbled through on the 3rd, 6th and 20th. Dense fog was observed on the 2nd and 21st. *Please note, anemometer is currently partially obstructed from the Southeast " - [ + + ]

    Dulles - from NWS Sterling (KLWX) come these notes: " TEMPERATURES THIS APRIL WERE ABOVE NORMAL. FROM APRIL 25-27...DULLES RECORDED 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WHERE THE HIGH EACH DAY WAS 92F. EACH DAY EITHER BROKE OR TIED THE DAILY HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORD. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME DULLES RECORDED 3 DAYS IN THE 90S IN APRIL SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1962. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 92F IS ALSO SECOND HIGHEST APRIL TEMPERATURE RECORDED AT DULLES...THE HIGHEST BEING 93F SET ON APRIL 17 2002. TEMPERATURES RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED DURING THE APRIL 25-27 STRETCH... APR 25...92F BROKE THE OLD RECORD OF 88F SET IN 1994. APR 26...92F TIED THE RECORD OF 92 SET IN 1990. APR 27...92F TIED THE RECORD OF 92 SET IN 1990. ALSO...TWO HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS WERE RECORDED AT DULLES DURING APRIL 2009... APR 27...63F AND APR 28...62F. PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH WAS ABOVE NORMAL. THIS WAS THE FIRST MONTH WITH ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008...BUT THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE APRIL MEASURING ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION. " - [ + + ]

    Falls Church - Erica adds: " A cool, wet month. 1st 90 degree day of the year occurred on 4/25. A rain shower on the 22nd brought pea-sized hail for a time. " - [ - + ]

    Glen Allen - Lowell Koontz reports the following: " April was warmer than average as the monthly mean temperature was 58.6°F, a +2.0°F departure, and was near average in precipitation (when compared to Ashland, Virginia records). The 3.05 inches of precipitation for April was a -0.02 inch departure when compared to the Ashland, VA average. The maximum precipitation recorded in a day was 0.80 inches on the 15th which was western Henrico County's private rain. It started as a slow moving small area of rain in Powhatan County and grew in size and intensity then morphed into an elongated NW- SE pattern that moved very slowly and trained the precipitation over our area. Measurable precipitation occurred on thirteen days and the rainfall of the 15th made our monthly total closer to average where many local stations were more below average. The maximum temperature for April was 93°F on the 26th, the hottest day since September 13, 2008 when it was also 93°F and the lowest minimum was 34°F recorded on the 8th which was the last observed light frost. There were three days (25th, 26th, 27th) that the temperature was 90°F or higher. The lowest dew point temperature for April was 16.7°F on the 7th at 1816 and the highest dew point was 64.8°F on the 25th at 0932. The maximum wind gust was 41 mph from the west-southwest that occurred on the 3rd at 1404. The highest barometer recorded for the month was 30.42 inches on the 29th and 30th and the lowest reading for April was 29.24 inches on the 3rd which was the lowest pressure since January 7th when it was 29.17 inches and was associated with a deep low pressure that passed to our NW. " - [ + - ] 

    Herndon - Randy reports: " April was about normal for temperature and, for a change, above normal for precipitation. The temperatures were typical for April with it mostly cool during the first two weeks and with the last frost occurring on the 13th. Then it warmed up with three consecutive days of record high temps in the low 90s occurring from the 25 thru the 27th. The precipitation fell off and on all month with thunderstorms occurring on five days (3, 6, 20, 21, and 25). The heaviest rain fell in thunderstorms on the 20 with 1.30 inches falling. We ended up with 4.22" for the month which was 0.55" above normal; the first above normal month in the last seven. " - [ - + ]

    Ladysmith - Danny adds these notes: " April finished with slightly above normal temperatures. We can add another inch to the rainfall deficit. 9 of the last 10 months have featured below normal precipitation. " - [ + - ]

    Portsmouth - " April was a warmer but drier month relative to normal for April months from 1977 to 2008. The 2.71" of rain produced an April that was 0.76" BELOW normal rainfall ( 78% of normal). The month's average temp was 1.4° ABOVE normal. Cold frontal passages occurred on the 3RD, 6TH, 7TH, 9TH, 11TH, 14TH, 15TH, 19TH, 21ST, 22ND, 30TH. A warmfront passed on the 10TH, 14TH, AND 30TH. STATION RECORDS: 17th- TEMPERATURE TIED - Minimum 36° [previous 1988], 22nd - WIND GUST - 36mph [previous 30mph in 1995], 25th - TEMPERATURE - Maximum 92° [previous 88° 1994], 26th - TEMPERATURE TIED - Maximum 93° [previous 1990], 26th - TEMPERATURE - Maximum Minimum 64° [previous 63° 1990]. The 93° on the 26th was not a rarity for April; however, the 3 consecutive days of 90°+ high temps from the 25th-27th was a bit unusual for the month of April. " - [ + - ] 

    North Carolina:

    Greensboro - NWS Raleigh (RAH) reports: - " The April 2009 North Carolina Weather Review is located here: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/ncsummaries/MonthlySummary.Apr.2009.doc [when available]. " - [ M M ]

    Raleigh - Bob adds these notes: " The average daily temperature was over one degree above normal while precipitation was 1.17" below normal. The first 90 degree reading was recorded in April. Only one thunderstorm was observed during the month. So far 2009 has been pretty quiet regarding severe weather in comparison to 2008. " - [ + - ]

    Raleigh - NWS Raleigh (RAH) reports: " A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 92 DEGREES WAS TIED AT RALEIGH-DURHAM INTL AIRPORT ON APRIL 25TH. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS SET IN 1960. A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 66 DEGREES WAS TIED AT RALEIGH-DURHAM INTL AIRPORT ON APRIL 25TH. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS SET IN 1976. The April 2009 North Carolina Weather Review is located here: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/ncsummaries/MonthlySummary.Apr2009.doc [when available]. " - [ + - ]

    Nearby Cities:

    Davis, WV - from Dave Lesher's website: " April experienced an average temperature 1° BELOW normal but greater than normal rainfall. The 14" of snow total was ABOVE normal, by 4 inches! Snowfall for the first three months of the year went from below to ABOVE normal with year-to-date snowfall 23.8", some 5.9" in excess of the normal; for the season, a snowfall total of 189" was 49 inches in of excess seasonal snowfall compared to normal. " - [ - + ]



    COLUMN DENOTATIONS:

    A  maximum mean temperature T total precipitation (inches)
    T1 departure from normal
    B  minimum mean temperature U maximum calendar day precipitation (inches)
    C  monthly mean temperature
    C1 departure from normal
    U1 date of maximum calendar day precipitation
    D  maximum temperature V date(s) of maximum daily precipitation
    E  date(s) of maximum temperature V1 maximum 24-hour precip. & date(s)
    F  minimum temperature W number of days with precip. >= .01"
    G  date(s) of minimum temperature  X number of days with precip. >= 1.0"
    H  days with maximum temperature >=90 Y year-to-date precipitation (inches)
    I  days with maximum temperature <=32 Z maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
    J  days with minimum temperature <=32 VRB Variable
    K  days with minimum temperature <= 0 1 date of maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
    K1 average relative humidity 2 number of days with snowfall
    L  peak wind gust (miles per hour)  3 number of days with snowfall >= 1.0"
    M  direction of peak wind gust 4  total snowfall for month (inches)
    N  date(s) of peak wind gust  5 total snowfall for 2007-2008 season (inches)
    N1   average wind speed (miles per hour) 6 maximum barometric pressure (inches)
    N2 dominant wind direction 6A date of maximum barometric pressure
    O  number of days with thunder  7 minimum barometric pressure (inches)
    P  number of days with hail 7A date of minimum barometric pressure
    Q  number of days with glaze 8   average sea-level pressure
    R  number of days with ice pellets STN  Station
    R2 sky cover percentage NR not recorded
    R1 number of days with dense fog [1/4 mile and less visibility] (i) incomplete data
    S  local observation time for temps/precipitation (M) missing, if listed in data table
     ~ "about" E estimated
     +  additional indeterminate number of days CWA - NWS Office County Warning Area


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         NWS Wakefield, VA
         NWS Blacksburg, VA
         NWS Raleigh, NC
         NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC
         NWS Wilmington, NC
         NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
         NWS Columbia, SC
         NWS Charleston, SC
         NWS Morristown, TN

         National Weather Service Homepages

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    STATION / LOCATION (MILES & DIRECTION FROM MAIN POST OFFICE)/OBSERVER / YEAR RECORDS BEGAN / EMAIL ADDRESS:

      
       ROK   Roanoke, VA 6SW Wendell Prillaman  4/76 wlprillaman@cox.net
      AKQ    Wakefield, VA NWS Wakefield Municipal Airport 36-58-53N 077-00-04W 33M
    DCA    Arlington, VA Washington, DC, Reagan Washington National Airport 38-50-54N 077-02-03W 18M WSH   Washington, VA  David Yowell runamok@runamok.com
    BCB    Blacksburg, VA NWS Virginia Tech Airport 37-13N 080-25W   
    BRI     Bridgewater, VA Clayton Towers Ctowers@rica.net WOO  Woodstock, VA 5NW Lauck Walton - 12/1/85 jwalton@shentel.net
    CEN  Centreville, VA Paul Bassett 1985, 38° 50.9788' N LAT. 77° 25.6374' W LON. | Elevation 324' | m.psb@verizon.net LDY Ladysmith, VA Danny Jessee 2003 danny@dannyjessee.com
       WAL   Wallops Island, VA 37° 56'26" N 75° 27'47" W Wallops Flight Facility Airport
    CHO   Charlottesville, VA  Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport ASOS  (Rappahannock County) 38-08-18N 078-27-21W 192M AVL    Asheville, NC  Asheville Regional Airport 35-25-55N 082-32-15W 670M
      MRH    Beaufort, NC  Michael J. Field Airport 34-44-01N 076-39-38W 3M
    DAN  Danville, VA, Danville Regional Airport, 36-34-22N 079-20-10W 175M  CLT    Charlotte, NC NWS Charlotte/Douglas International Airpot 35-12-48N 080-56-55W 220M
    IAD   Dulles - Washington-Dulles International Airport  38-56-05N 077-26-51W 93M  SSB    Sunset Beach, NC   33.9° N 78.5° W  Tom Myers
    FCH    Falls Church, VA Erica Page - 3/7/94 Windie1970@aol.com HKY  Hickory, NC 
    HAM    Hampton, VA 5NE Dave Kessel 1989 david82@verizon.net ECG  Elizabeth City, NC,  Coast Guard Air Station 36-15-47N 076-10-58W 11M
    CTR  Winterpock in Chesterfield County, VA Albert Arnold 06/03 FAY  Fayetteville, NC Fayetteville Regional Airport, 34-59-22N 078-52-48W 55M
      GSO   Greensboro, NC NWS Piedmont Triad International Airport 36-05-51N 079-56-37W 275M
    CHT   Chantilly, VA Russ Topping -  12/2006  russ.topping@gmail.com - new location December 2006 HSE    Cape Hatteras, NC  Mitchell Field 35-13-56N 075-27-21W 3M
    HDV    Herndon, VA  Randoplh W. Ashby, 3.3 SM South, Lat: 38.922127, Lon: -77.38015, Elev: 390'. Randolph_Ashby@Raytheon.com LBT    Lumberton, NC  Lumberton Municipal Airport 34-36-26N 079-03-36W 37M
    GAV - Glen Allen, Henrico County, VA - Lowell Koontz  8/1/08  wwkoontz@verizon.net EWN    New Bern, NC  Craven County Regional Airport 36-04-03N 077-02-50W 3M
    FRV     Front Royal, VA  Michael Perritt -  04/08 snowyat9@yahoo.com RAL    Raleigh, NC 7NNW  Bob Woodson -  6/1/93 kf4mmm@qsl.net
    LKU     Louisa, VA 1N Joseph Bowers 1944 - NWS ID  44-5050-02jmbiii@earthlink.net RDU   Raleigh-Durham, NC Raleigh-Durham International Airport 35-52-14N 078-47-11W 130M
    LOU     Louisa, VA 6S John Bullock (about 1970) INACTIVE 1/1/02 - MEMBER DECEASED FALL 2004 ROX    Roxboro, NC 2SE Merriell A. Jay 1/93
    LYH     Lynchburg, VA NWS Lynchburg Regional Airport 37-19-15N 079-12-24W 295M ILM     Wilmington, NC NWS New Hanover International Airport 34-16-06N 077-54-22W 9M
    NEW    Newmarket, VA 2W Joyce Winfree joywood@shentel.net CHS   Charleston, SC NWS Charleston Air Force Base 32-53-56N 080-02-26W 13M
    NPN     Newport News, VA 7N Gary Leonard -  6/91 GaryMLeonard@aol.com CAE    Columbia, SC NWS Columbia Metropolitan Airport 33-56-31N 081-07-05W 73M 
    NOR     Norfolk, VA 3NE Jim Fentress 6/1/77 FLO    Florence, SC Florence Regional Airport 34-11-16N 079-43-51W 44M
    ORF     Norfolk, VA 5NE 36-54-13N 076-11-31W 14M  1871 GSP   Greenville-Spartanburg, SC NWS Greenville-Spartanburg Airport 34-53-02N 082-13-15W 286M 
    POR     Portsmouth, VA 36.81° North 76.33° West 3S Bill Trotter -  7/1/76 wxr@cox.net CRE    North Myrtle Beach, SC Grand Strand Airport 33-48-42N 078-43-26W 10M
    MEC     Mechanicsville, VA Glen Martin 11/19/91 OGB   Orangeburg, SC  Orangeburg Municipal Airport 33-27-50N 080-51-13W 59M
    FHC    Norfolk, VA  Fred Heutte Center 36° 54'N 76° 16'W 01/01/03 fhcgarden@cox.net AND   Anderson, SC 
    RIC     Richmond, VA Richmond International Airport 37-30-40N 077-19-24W 50M TRI     Tri-cities, TN  (Bristol / Johnson / Kingsport), Tri-City Regional Airport 36-28-47N 082-23-56W 474M 
    ROA    Roanoke, VA Roanoke Regional Airport 37-19-01N 079-58-27W 362M DAV  Davis, WV Dave Lesher canaanwx@canaantv.tv