http://members.cox.net/wxr/acon.htm
SUMMARY OF
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
DECEMBER 2005
...COLDER DECEMBER TEMPERATURES WITH ABOVE NORMAL PRECIP...
For the first time since May 2005, temperatures were generally below normal across the region;
in many locales, minimum temperatures were persistently low but not extreme while
daytime highs- mostly in the afternoons- remained quite chilly.
Rainfall and snowfall throughout the area- on average - were
above normal. In particular, snowfall across the northern reaches of the three-state
region was above normal with some areas seeing snowcover persist on more than half
the month's days. At month's end, temperature readings moderated to above normal.
Extreme temperatures were not noted during the month. Temperature ranges from daily lows to
highs were not broad for much of the area, falling mostly in a 20° span. Indeed there were cold temps as
the thermometer dropped to 8° at New Market, VA. But no periods of severe cold were recorded.
ARCTIC OCEAN ICE CRASHES ON ALASKA SHORES
- 30 years have passed since residents of Barrow Alaska
last saw huge chunks of sea ice (ivus) move ice into their streets. Read more about
this recent occurrence that awakened Barrow's residents in the middle of the night!
Visit
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1566611/posts. As this
was a widely carried news item, use Google to search for it again should the link
above not provide you the article.
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HAS 200+ MPH WINDS [01/25/06]
http://www.grandfather.com/about/archive/jan25_winds.php
- This article will be rehighlighted again in our January 2006 summary, but is ready
for your amazement now!
WEATHERWISE MAGAZINE
- As many of you know, Weatherwise Magazine has been around for quite some time.
The magazine's articles and stunning photos are excellent resources for the
weather enthusiast. Likely, some of you may have even submitted a photo for their annual
contest. At the magazine's website, http://www.weatherwise.org/,
one online feature is the Weather Queries section, which may be of interest to
you.
DROUGHT MONITOR
http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html
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 - DECEMBER 2005
|
State
|
Maximum Temperature
|
Minimum
Temperature
|
Warmest
Average
Temperature
|
Coldest
Average
Temperature
|
Maximum
Precipitation
|
Minimum
Precipitation
|
|
Virginia
|
68°
Norfolk (FHC)
|
8°
New Market
|
42.1°
Norfolk (FHC)
|
31.09°
New Market
|
6.16"
Norfolk (FHC)
|
1.19"
Richmond
|
|
North Carolina
|
73°
Fayetteville, Lumberton
|
15°
Asheville
|
47.4°
Cape Hatteras
|
36.6°
Asheville
|
5.25"
Charlotte
|
1.92"
Lumberton
|
|
South Carolina
|
76°
Columbia
|
20°
Anderson, Columbia
|
49.1°
Charleston
|
41.5°
Anderson
|
4.82"
Greenville-Spartanburg
|
2.84"
Orangeburg
|
( 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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANN 42.10 27.32 34.71 -3.0 58 24 14 14 0 2 25 0 67% 37 W 2 0 0 0 4 3 2400 LWX
BCB 41.3 23.8 32.6 -1.5 61 24 13 10 0 0 27 0 58% 38 290° 2 5.7 0 0 0 0 1 50% 2400 RNK
38 290° 26
BRI 40.6 24.7 32.6 -3.7 58 4 12 20 0 3 27 0 51% 0 0 0 1 1 2400 LWX
CCV 42 22 32 -1.0 60 12 11 10 0 2 28 0 40% 43 290° 26 3.0 260° 0 0 0 2 5 50% 2400 BCB
CEN 41.9 26.8 34.6 -1.1 59 24 12 14 0 2 25 0 66% 45 304° 26 2.9 NNW 1 0 1 1 2 2400 LWX
CHO 44.5 36.5 35.5 -3.8 63 4 16 14 0 0 27 3 62% 30 310° 2 3.4 0 0 3 0 5 40% 2400 LWX
DAN 47.6 27.4 37.5 -2.6 63 28 18 21,22 0 1 23 0 65% 39 310° 26 6.0 0 0 3 0 0 30% 2400 RNK
DCA 43.2 29.6 36.4 -3.1 58 24 19 14 0 2 21 0 64% 37 310° 2 4.8 0 0 2 4 1 60% 2400 LWX
IAD 41.8 25.0 33.4 -2.6 59 24 13 14 0 2 28 0 66% 44 300° 26 5.7 0 0 2 3 2 60% 2400 LWX
FCH 45.4 31.4 38.4 56 24,31 21 15 0 1 17 0 30 26 0 0 3 3 0 2400 LWX
HAM 50.1 36.9 41.2 -1.8 64 4 23 22 0 0 10 0 40% 34 SSE 11 12.0 N 0 0 0 0 2 50% 2400 AKQ
HER 40.7 26.4 33.5 -2.5 55 24 14.0 14 0 2 27 0 20 9 0 0 0 1 0 2400 LWX
HRN 407 26.1 33.5 -2.5 56.9 24 11.6 14 0 2 26 0 64% 33 WNW 26 2.3 WNW 0 0 3 2 1 2400 LWX
LDY 46 26 36 -4.1 63 4 15 14 0 0 28 0 63% 0 0 2 3 0 2400 AKQ
LYH 44.5 25.5 35.0 -3.2 64 4 13 20 0 0 10 1 66% 30 300° 2 4.4 0 0 3 2 4 30% 2400 RNK
NEW 41.52 20.67 31.09 -5.0 60 28 8 14,20 0 2 30 0 75% 30 NW 2 14.13 SW 0 0 1 1 2 1800 LWX
NPN 50.1 31.3 40.7 64 4 20 20,22 0 0 16 0 32 NE 2 0 0 0 0 0 2400 AKQ
NOR 49.2 32.2 40.7 -2.5 64 4 21 22 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 1 0 2400 AKQ
ORF 49.7 33.9 41.8 -2.5 65 4 22 22 0 0 12 0 68% 36 250° 4 8.8 0 0 0 0 0 30% 2400 AKQ
36 170 15
FHC 49.14 35.10 42.12 68.1 4 24.7 22 0 0 10 0 70% 32 225° 4 4.0 SSW 1 0 0 0 0 2400 AKQ
POR 50.3 33.6 42.0 -2.1 64 4 22 22 0 0 13 0 76% 33 270° 2 4.65 146° 1 0 0 0 0 35% 2400 AKQ
CTR 59.6 27.7 37.4 -3.0 63.5 21 15.7 21 0 0 25 0 72% 18 W 2,11 0.6 SSW 1 0 0 0 4 66% 2400 AKQ
MEC 46.32 28.65 37.68 60 4,28 17 14,22 0 1 22 0 11 SE 13 1 0 0 0 0 1700 AKQ
RIC 47.7 28.9 38.3 -2.2 64 4 18 20,22 0 1 23 0 65% 35 290° 2 4.4 0 0 2 3 2 50% 2400 AKQ
ROA 44.2 29.5 36.8 -2.3 63 4 20 21 0 1 22 0 60% 40 290° 2 7.2 0 0 3 3 2 40% 2400 RNK
AKQ 50 28 39.0 64 4 16 22 0 1 13 0 2400 AKQ
WAL 46.0 29.5 37.8 -2.8 58 4 20 14 0 0 22 0 39 310° 9 8.6 0 0 0 0 0 2400 AKQ
WOO 42.7 26.8 34.8 -2.8 60 25 15 14 0 1 23 0 0 0 1 3 3 2400 LWX
WSH 40.3 26.2 33.3 -3.6 53.8 4 13.7 14 0 3 25 0 66% 20 ENE 4 1.1 N 0 0 3 3 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 46.4 26.7 36.6 -2.4 66 4 15 23 0 1 27 0 64% 38 330° 26 7.1 1 0 4 0 1 40% 2400 GSP
MRH 55.2 37.3 46.3 67 4 27 21,21 0 0 10 0 36 290° 26 9.2 2 0 0 0 1 2400 MHX
CLT 51.3 28.9 40.1 -4.3 68 4 18 22 0 0 23 0 65% 26 300° 26 5.0 1 0 1 0 2 50% 2400 GSP
ECG 51.5 32.1 41.8 -4.1 67 4 20 22 0 0 16 0 71% 37 310° 2 9.0 0 0 0 0 6 30% 2400 AKQ
FAY 54.3 32.4 43.3 73 4 21 23 0 0 15 0 65% 36 220° 4 7.2 1 0 0 0 1 30% 2400 RAH
GSO 48.6 30.0 39.3 -1.7 63 4 22 20 0 1 22 0 64% 40 300° 26 6.5 1 1 3 2 0 50% 2400 RAH
HSE 54.3 40.4 47.4 -2.6 67 4 32 20 0 0 1 0 49 230° 29 9.5 0 0 0 0 0 2400 MHX
HKY 49.2 28.7 39.0 -2.8 65 27 19 22 0 1 25 0 30 340° 2 4.6 1 0 3 0 6 2400 GSP
LBT 54.2 32.5 43.4 -1.3 73 4 20 23 0 0 17 0 37 280° 26 5.4 0 0 0 0 2 2400 ILM
EWN 54.6 32.8 43.7 -3.3 71 4 20 22,23 0 0 16 0 180° 4 6.3 4 0 0 0 3 2400 MHX
RAL 51.2 28.7 41.0 -3.0 64 29 18 22 0 1 24 0 1 0 1 0 0 2400 RAH
RDU 50.9 30.5 40.7 -2.3 68 4 20 22 0 1 22 0 64% 32 310° 26 5.8 1 0 1 3 0 50% 1900 RAH
ROX 48.7 30.3 38.7 -0.2 64 28 20 10,14, 0 1 18 0 69% 36 NW 25 N 0 0 2 0 0 46% 2400 RAH
21
ILM 57.0 35.0 46.0 -2.9 69 4 21 23 0 0 15 0 67% 35 180° 9 6.8 3 0 0 0 1 49% 2400 ILM
35 260° 26
|
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 51.8 31.2 41.5 -2.9 66 4 20 22 0 0 20 0 35 280° 11 6.3 3 0 2 0 4 2400 GSP
CAE 55.8 32.3 44.0 -3.0 76 4 20 22,23 0 0 20 0 37 260° 25 6.0 2 0 0 0 1 2400 CAE
CRE 56.3 36.2 46.2 -1.5 67 4 23 23 0 0 12 0 29 220° 4 6.5 2 0 0 0 2 2400 CHS
CHS 60.3 38.0 49.1 -1.4 72 5 22 23 0 0 7 0 36 160° 9 8.3 1 0 0 0 0 2400 CHS
36 200° 25
FLO 55.8 33.7 44.8 -2.7 75 4 22 22 0 0 15 0 32 250° 25 7.2 1 0 0 0 1 2400 ILM
GSP 51.7 31.4 41.6 -1.9 67 4 23 22 0 0 22 0 63% 29 250° 11 6.2 3 0 4 0 5 30% 2400 GSP
OGB 58.6 35.8 47.2 75 4 24 23 0 0 9 0 35 260° 25 6.4 3 0 0 0 0 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 44.5 25.5 35.0 -2.3 61 28 11 21,22 0 0 23 0 32 260° 1 4.4 2 0 0 0 3 2400 MRX
DAV 29.8 16.9 23.3 53 29 3 20,21 0 19 29 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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANN 3.49 1.10 15 1.34 15-16 10 1 46.88 2.5 5 6 3 7.4 8.2 30.74 8 29.35 29 30.02 2400
BCB 2.20 -0.67 0.66 15 0.66 15 13 0 35.67 2.6 5 11 3 6.3 8.1 2400
BRI 1.73 -1.00 0.91 15 0.91 15 5 0 32.60 0.5 3 3 6.2 6.7 30.60 8 30.40 29 1615/1600
CCV 2.50 +0.70 0.64 15 0.70 15 13 0 31.79 2.5 5 2 2 6.5 6.5 30.45 24 29.62 5 30.04 2400
CEN 3.50 +0.48 0.93 15 1.22 15-16 10 0 46.56 2.5 9 5 3 7.1 7.8 30.72 8 29.42 29 30.07 2400
CHO 2.74 -0.52 1.04 15 1.04 14-15 10 1 40.92 2400
DAN 3.92 +0.76 1.63 5 1.72 4-5 9 2 34.87 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.74 8 29.43 29 2400
DCA 3.34 +0.29 0.93 15 1.23 16-16 11 0 44.38 1.6 9 7 3 4.8 4.8 2400
IAD 2.93 -0.14 1.07 15 1.18 15-16 9 1 44.60 2.5 9 6 2 5.7 6.0 2400
FCH 2.96 0.86 25 0.86 21-22 7 0 36.99 3.0 5-6 0 4 5.5 5.75 2400
HAM 4.07 +0.87 1.33 5 1.56 4-6 10 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.62 8 29.47 29 30.04 2400
HER 3.25 +0.18 1.15 15 1.22 15-16 11 1 46.78 2.5 9 5 3 6.4 6.9 2400
HRN 3.16 +0.09 1.10 15 1.21 15-16 12 1 45.33 2.0 5,9 5 3 5.5 6.0 30.679 8 29.396 29 30.01 2400
LDY 4.95 +1.53 2.29 15 2.38 15-16 10 1 4.0 5 2 1 4.5 4.5 30.77 8 29.44 29 30.07 2400
LYH 3.03 -0.20 1.15 15 1.15 15 10 1 36.81 3.0 5 5 2 4.8 4.8 30.75 8 29.42 29 2400
NEW 1.85 -0.56 0.89 15 7 0 36.06 4 6 1 3 7.5 7.5 30.88 8 29.74 29 1700
NPN 3.75 1.34 5 1.46 5-6 10 1 43.46 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.68 8 29.32 29 2400
NOR 4.52 +1.23 1.32 5 12 2 56.22 0.0 0.0 0.0 2400
ORF 4.29 +1.37 1.20 25 1.20 25 10 2 46.10 T 6 1 0 T T 30.43 19 29.09 22 2400
FHC 6.16 1.81 25 1.99 4-5 11 3 58.84 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.736 8 29.379 29 30.048 2400
POR 4.76 +1.68 1.28 5 1.40 4-5 13 2 50.46 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.755 8 29.392 29 30.059 2400
1.28 25
CTR 4.47 +1.26 1.37 15 1.37 14-15 9 2 32.81 3.0 5 3 1 3.0 3.0 30.75 8 29.38 29 30.039 2400
MEC 5.85 1.48 16 1.70 25-26 11 2 24.29 2.75 5 2 1 3.75 3.75 30.39 8 29.32 25, 1700
29
RIC 1.19 -2.35 0.52 2 0.58 2-3 8 0 42.73 4.2 5 6 1 4.4 4.4 2400
ROA 2.36 -0.50 0.93 15 0.93 15 9 0 37.88 1.4 9 6 3 3.7 4.1 30.74 8 29.43 29 2400
AKQ 4.21 1.77 5 12 2 56.89 0.5 6 3 0 0.5 0.5 2400
WAL 3.58 +0.58 0.94 25 0.94 25 9 0 39.84 2.1 5 4 2 3.1 3.1 2400
WOO 1.54 -1.03 0.44 15-16 10 0 34.53 3.6 6 4 3 8.6 9.7 30.72 8 29.55 29 0800
WSH 2.47 -1.06 1.18 15 1.18 15 9 1 45.28 3.0 5 10 3 7.8 8.1 30.70 8 29.41 26 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 3.51 +0.11 1.48 15 1.48 15 10 1 47.26 T 12 1 0 T T 2400
MRH 4.28 1.57 15 1.57 15 8 1 56.42 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.12 23 29.45 29 2400
CLT 5.25 +2.07 1.77 5 1.92 4-5 11 2 41.88 T 15 2 2 T T 2400
ECG 3.66 +0.60 1.06 5 1.15 4-5 10 1 43.67 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.51 17 29.39 29 2400
FAY 2.69 0.80 28 0.91 4-5 10 0 32.03 0.0 0.0 0.0 2400
GSO 4.08 +1.02 1.61 5 1.82 4-5 9 2 31.87 T 3,15 3 0 T T 2400
18
HSE 4.80 +0.24 1.30 15 1.64 15-16 10 2 64.15 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.69 8 29.42 29 2400
HKY 4.06 +0.47 1.47 15 1.48 15-16 10 1 48.31 T 15 1 0 T T 2400
LBT 1.92 -1.30 0.72 28 0.73 28-29 10 0 25.90 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.67 8 29.46 29 2400
EWN 3.64 -0.20 1.07 15 1.07 15 11 1 56.40 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.70 8 29.45 29 2400
RDU 4.24 +1.20 1.41 15 1.41 15 12 2 33.41 T 15, 3 0 T T 1900
17,18
RAL 4.67 +1.63 1.49 4-5 13 2 38.56 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.83 8 29.47 29 2400
ROX 5.18 +1.82 2.44 5 2.44 5 9 2 42.09 T 6,18 2 0 T T 30.73 8 29.44 29 30.09 2200
ILM 4.15 +0.37 1.03 18 1.44 17-18 10 1 79.52 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.67 8 29.44 29 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 4.68 +0.84 1.47 15 1.80 4-5 11 2 51.64 T 14,15 2 0 T T 2400
CAE 4.09 +0.71 0.94 28 0.94 28 9 0 45.95 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.58 8 29.49 29 2400
CRE 3.78 +0.33 0.86 28 1.21 17-18 10 0 62.42 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.63 8 29.47 29 2400
CHS 3.25 +0.01 0.77 5 1.06 17-18 10 0 46.16 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.52 8 29.52 29 2400
FLO 3.72 +0.25 1.32 28 1.39 28-29 10 1 43.93 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.63 8 29.45 29 2400
GSP 4.82 +0.96 1.08 5 1.62 4-5 10 2 53.14 0.0 0.0 0.0 2400
OGB 2.84 1.12 28 1.22 28-29 10 1 41.91 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.55 8 29.50 29 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 2.71 -0.68 0.81 15 0.81 15 9 0 37.55 T 1, 4 0 T 0.2 30.57 7 29.45 28 2400
11,12,26
DAV 4.63 0.79 4 23 0 59.36 6.7 3 23 9 35.7 63.5 0700 |
Virginia:
Annandale
- Lowell adds these notes:
"
December was much below average in temperature and a little above average in precipitation.
The December mean temperature of 34.7° was a departure of -3.0°, the sixth coldest December, and
the precipitation departure was 0.23 inches. For the year, we had a surplus of 2.58 inches of precipitation
and a total of 46.88 inches for the year. The maximum, minimum and mean monthly average
temperatures were all the lowest since the year 2000 which was the second coldest December in the last
25 years. Even though the month was cold, for the most part, there wasn't any
extreme cold like last December 20th at 0813 when the wind chill was -13.1°.
The lowest wind chill this month was only +11.0 øF on the 20th at 0619.
The snowfall total for December was 7.4 inches, the most for December since
2003 and a departure of 4.7 inches for the month and the fourth greatest amount of snow recorded in December in the last 25
years. The snowfall total for 2005 was 29.2 inches which was the most snowfall for a year since 2003
when 49.9 inches was recorded. This December had five days with measurable amounts of frozen
precipitation which tied the 25 year record. The year 1989, the coldest December on recorded also had
five days with measurable frozen precipitation. Measurable snow cover lay on the ground for 19 days the
most since 1989 when 24 days were recorded.
The lowest temperature recorded for the month was 14° and the highest monthly
maximum was only 58° which was the lowest monthly maximum since 2000.
The maximum wind gust was 37 mph from WNW at 1825 on the 2nd.
The maximum barometer reading of 30.74 inches on the 8th was the highest
recorded for December since 1993 when it was 30.80 inches although 2000
was close with a barometer reading of 30.73 inches.
December DAILY Records Tied or Broken (25 Years of records):
LOW maximum: 14;
LOW minimum: 8;
HIGH range temperature record: 23;
HIGH snowfall: 3, 9.
For Lowell's summary of climatological data for the year 2005, click here.
[ + - ]
Arlington
- Report from Guyer at NWS LWX:
"
AVERAGE DECEMBER TEMPERATURES WERE MORE THAN THREE DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL. OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WERE CONSISTENTLY CHILLY. RESIDENTS
WOKE UP TO MORNING LOWS BELOW FREEZING 21 DAYS IN DECEMBER...WHICH
IS 7 DAYS MORE THAN USUAL. IT WAS ALSO QUITE SNOWY FOR DECEMBER
STANDARDS. 7 DAYS REPORTED MORE THAN A TRACE OF SNOW AND 3 OF THOSE
WERE GREATER THAN 1 INCH...NEARLY ALL WITHIN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS.
PATCHY SNOW ON THE GROUND IN MANY PLACES WAS A DISTANT MEMORY BY
CHRISTMAS...AS DAYTIME TEMPERATURES MODERATED INTO THE 40S AND 50S.
THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED FOR THE MONTH WAS 58 DEGREES ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
" [ - + ]
Bridgewater
- "
The average temperature for the month was 3.7 degrees below
normal while the precipitation was 1 inch below normal. There were
three mini-snows during the month. The first of the month was rather
cold while warmer weather occurred during the last week of the
month. The barometer was very high on the 8th.
For the year 2005, the temperature was 1.2 degrees above
normal while the precipitation was 5.5 inches below normal. The
number of thunderstorms was much below normal. We usually get 20-25 a
year. Only 14 occurred last year. The snowfall was 8 inches below
normal. There were no extreme weather situations here in our part of
the Shenandoah Valley during 2005.
- [ - - ] - report from Clayton
Campbell County
- "
Campbell County had a seasonably cold month with some snow and sleet.
Over all, throughout the month, both temperatures and precipitation
stayed within the normal ranges.
"
- [ - + ] - notes from Roger
Centreville
- "
With the approach of winter just around the corner, December
temperatures were already in place for the start of some holiday
shopping, good cheer, and dreaded dieting. Whilst patches of
snow still lay upon the ground, `twas Christmas Eve when we nearly
hit sixty. And above normal for the rest of the year is where our
temperatures remained. Fifty-nine degrees was the highest
recorded temperature for the month on the 24th and was a distant
20° short of a record. Ten days earlier we accounted for only 12°
as the official Centreville monthly low, far away from the -4° of
sixteen years ago.
While an average high temperature of 41.9° coming in at 4.0° above
normal and the average night time low of 26.8° being 1.3° above the
25.5° normal, our overall average for the month of 34.6° was a
mere 1.1° below what we have come to expect. The low temperature
departure of December was only second to May as having the least
amount of deviation from normal for the year. The average low
temperature departure from average for 2005 was +5.1°.
The precipitation deck of cards dealt a mixed hand with a little of
everything laying on the December table; rain, snow, ice pellets, and
freezing rain. Naturally changeovers never occur at a convenient time of
day so for my new year resolution; no more late night and early morning
snow board clearing-rain gauge prepping routines. Including the water
equivalent from snow, our monthly liquid worked out to be 3.50", nearly
half an inch, or 116% over the 3.02" normal. In the snow department, we
trumped the normal December amount of 1.9" in the first half of the month
with 7.1". That works out to 7.8" for the year and 312% over the seasonal
average to date of 2.5". No reason to run out and gas up the blower just
yet, but with eleven weeks of winter remaining,
I guess I should still remain cautious. With time rapidly running out to
record anything important for the year, I was dealt a big 4-5 for a final
wind gust on December 26th. There were only five other months in 2005
when gusts exceeded 40 mph. The runner up to December's 45 mph, was a
pair of 42's set back in January and February. And for rain, and except for
September when only 0.17" of rain fell, most of the other months maintained
a reasonable precipitation surplus to end the year 3.95" to the better.
" - [ - - ] - summary from Paul
Dulles
- "
AVERAGE DECEMBER TEMPERATURES WERE NEARLY THREE DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL. PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH WAS NEAR NORMAL...BUT IT WAS
QUITE SNOWY FOR DECEMBER STANDARDS. 6 DAYS REPORTED MORE THAN A
TRACE OF SNOW AND 2 OF THOSE WERE GREATER THAN 1 INCH...NEARLY ALL
WITHIN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS. PATCHY SNOW ON THE GROUND IN MANY PLACES
WAS A DISTANT MEMORY BY CHRISTMAS...AS DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
MODERATED INTO THE 40S AND 50S. THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED FOR
THE MONTH WAS 59 DEGREES ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
" - [ - - ] - report from Quell and Guyer at NWS LWX
Falls Church
- "
A colder than average month even though the later half of the month started
a warming trend. My snowfall was above average for the month. I would like
to wish everyone here at ACON a Happy New Year
" - [ - M ] - report from Erica
Herndon
- Bob reports:"
My average MAX temperature was 5.2 degrees below
the Dulles "normal" and the average MIN was 0.4 degrees
ABOVE "normal". Snowfall was 4.2 inches ABOVE the Dulles average.
" - [ - + ]
Herndon
- Russ reports:
"
December began much colder than normal, but warmed up quite a bit in
the end. Precipitation was slightly above normal. Temperatures ended
up 2.5 degrees below average and rainfall was just 0.09" above normal.
We had 5.5" of snow, which is above average. Snow fell on the 3rd (trace),
5th (2.0"), 6th (1.5"), 9th (2.0" of slush) and 15th (trace). Sleet mixed
in on the 3rd and 9th. Freezing rain fell on the 3rd, 9th and 15th, but
did not accumulate more than 1/8". We set a new, daily snowfall record on
the 9th (2.0") and precipitation record on the 15th (1.10"). Quite a mix
of winter weather! We even had enough shaded snow and ice left on the 25th,
to provide us with a white Christmas! The year ended with precipitation
3.53" above average.
" - [ - + ]
Ladysmith
- Danny checks-in from his new home:
"
December brought above average precipitation and well below
average temperatures, with 28 of 31 days having temperatures below freezing.
2.38" of rain on the 15th and 16th helped Ladysmith on its way to nearly 5"
of rain for the month. 4" of snow fell on the 5th, which single-handedly
exceeded Ladysmith's snowfall total from the entire 2004-05 season. Wishing
everyone a happy and safe new year!
" - [ - + ]
Portsmouth
- "
December had below normal temperature averages (ending the 5 months in a row of above
normal temps) and above normal rainfall (154%). Despite the colder than normal
temps, no snow fell during the month. Mostly, daytime highs were more below normal than were
the daily lows. On 13 days, temps dipped to 32° or below.
Only two records noted for the month:
2ND - WIND GUST - 33 MPH [PREVIOUS 31 MPH 1989];
14TH - TEMPERATURE - MINIMUM MAXIMUM 37° [PREVIOUS 40° 1989].
The year ended with total rainfall of 50.46" which was 2.15" above normal or 104% of
the norm. The yearlong average temp
was 60.4° that was normal. [ - + ]
Woodstock
- "
Lauck reports the average temperature for the year was 55.1°, some 0.2° BELOW
normal. Temps ranged from a low of 7° to a high of 91°. Rainfall measured
34.53" for the year and snowfall amassed to 24.8 for the year.
- [ - M ]
North
Carolina:
Raleigh
-
"
December was cooler and wetter than normal. The average daily temperature
was 3 degrees below normal while precipitation was 1.63" above normal.
The only winter precipitation occurred on December 15th when there was a
thin glaze of ice from freezing rain. No severe weather was observed,
however there was a thunderstorm on the 28th."
- [ - + ] - notes from Bob.
Raleigh
- NWS Raleigh (RAH) reports:
"
December 2005 was highlighted by widespread rain that brought relief to the
drought conditions affecting portions of North Carolina. Widespread
precipitation events continued to bring much needed rainfall to North
Carolina throughout the month. Monthly rainfall totals generally averaged
between 4 and 5 inches, with localized amounts of 6 to 7 inches over
portions of the southern Foothills. These rainfall totals were generally
1 to 2 inches above the December 30-year averages. All the rain was very
welcome news for the drought-parched Piedmont, where a severe drought had
gripped the region since August.
In addition to the return of beneficial rain, cold temperatures were also
felt over much of North Carolina during December. The overall monthly
temperatures averaged below normal at many locations including Greensboro
and Raleigh. The colder than normal temperatures observed at both GSO and
RDU snapped a string of 7 straight months in which the temperatures averaged
warmer than normal. The temperatures were cold enough to support a major
ice storm that impacted portions of western North Carolina on December 14-15, 2005.
The full DECEMBER 2005 Weather Review will be available at:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/ncsummaries/MonthlySummary.Dec.2005.doc.
" - [ - + ]
Elsewhere:
Tri-Cities:
-
"
The monthly average temperature at Tri-Cities was 35.0 degrees, which was
2.3 degrees below normal. It ranked as the 16th coldest December on record
at Tri-Cities. No daily records were broken. The coldest December at
Tri-Cities was back in 1963, when the average temperature was only 27.8
degrees.
Tri-Cities received 2.71 inches of precipitation in December, which was
0.68 inches below normal. It ranked as the 24th driest December on record at
Tri-Cities. Measurable precipitation occurred on eleven days, but only four
of those days had more than one-quarter of an inch of rain. The heaviest
rain fell on the 15th, when 0.81 inches was reported. The driest December at
Tri-Cities was back in 1965, when only 0.21 inches was recorded.
The average temperature for the year at Tri-Cities was 56.4 degrees, which
was 1.5 degrees above normal. It tied with 2004, 1965 and 1945 as the 28th
warmest year on record at Tri-Cities. Below normal monthly temperatures
occurred in March, May and December, the rest of the months were above
normal. The warmest year at Tri-Cities was back in 1990, when the average
temperature was 58.2 degrees.
Tri-Cities received a total of 37.55 inches of precipitation in 2005,
which was 3.78 inches below normal. It ranked as the 19th driest year on
record at Tri-Cities. Above normal rainfall occurred only in April, June,
July and August. The rest of the months were below normal, resulting in a
deficit for the year. The driest year at Tri-Cities was back in 1939,
when only 30.06 inches was recorded.
" - [ - - ] - report from NWS MRX, Morristown, TN
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 2005-2006 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 |
For ACON
VA/NC/SC Recent Weather News, Search CNN
http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER
National
Weather Service Web Sites & Current Email Addresses
Within or
Nearby the ACON VA/NC/SC Area Can Be Found At:
NWS Washington/Baltimore,
VA/MD
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
$$$ National Climatic Data
Center, Asheville, NC $$$
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 |
| ANN Annandale,
VA 1 3/4 ENE - Lowell Koontz 8/31/79 wwkoontz@verizon.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 |
WEE Weems, VA 3WNW Francis
J. Socey |
| 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
|
|
CCV Campbell County, VA - 37° 24' N 79° 04' W -
Roger Penny September 2005 bulletnva@yahoo.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 |
| HVA Chesapeake,
VA Hickory, James Earehart, 5/1/2005, kearehart@cox.net |
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 |
BRE Brevard, NC
1SE Bob Keehn 1/1/90 rkeehn@brinet.com |
| IAD Dulles - Washington-Dulles
International Airport 38-56-05N 077-26-51W 93M |
CLT Charlotte,
NC NWS Charlotte/Douglas International Airpot 35-12-48N 080-56-55W 220M |
| 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 |
| HER Herndon, VA
R.M. Beall P- 10/76 T- 1/91 beall47@earthlink.net |
GSO Greensboro, NC NWS
Piedmont Triad International Airport 36-05-51N 079-56-37W 275M |
| HRN Herndon, VA 4SW Russ
Topping - 1985 weatherwatcher@cox.net |
HSE Cape Hatteras,
NC Mitchell Field 35-13-56N 075-27-21W 3M |
| |
MNC Mebane,
NC Sean McManus 2005 - micman2b@pipeline.com |
| |
LBT Lumberton,
NC Lumberton Municipal Airport 34-36-26N 079-03-36W 37M |
| |
EWN New Bern,
NC Craven County Regional Airport 36-04-03N 077-02-50W 3M |
| LXI Lexington,
VA Scott M. Lancey, - 06/96 weather@midatlanticwx.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 |
|