Virginia:
Annandale
- Lowell sends these notes:"
January was the 3rd coldest and 4th driest January in the
last 24-years. It was the coldest since 1994 which holds the record as
the coldest. The lowest temperature was 5° on the 10th that was the lowest
minimum temperature to occur since February 5, 1996 when -2°øF was recorded.
The maximum on the 10th was only 18°F and the lowest maximum temperature
in January since 1997. January had 17 days that the high temperature for
the day didn't climb above freezing; the previous 24 year record was
13 days in 1982. It was also the coldest day (daily mean) in January
since January 20, 1994. Only four Januarys in the last 24-years have had a
daily mean temperature lower than the 11.5° mean of January 10th.
January's mean monthly temperature was 28.32° a departure of - 5.7°.
January had 26 days that the low temperature was freezing or below. Only
six of the last 24 Januarys have had a greater number of days.
But on January 4th the temperature was 72° and tied for second place as
the warmest temperature in January in the last 24 years at this station.
The record was 74°F set in 2002 and the monthly highest temperature
averages only 63°.
The January rainfall had a -1.43" departure and was the driest month in the
last 22 months but was still the cloudiest January since 1998. The total
snowfall for January was 6.3" and was 1.9" less than the 24-year average
which is 8.2". There were eleven days with snow or flurries and 5 days with
measurable snow but all were minor snows except the 5.0" of snow on the
25th and 26th.
The least temperature range for any day this January was 7° which is the
highest for any January since 1981 and ties the record for the 24
year period.
The maximum gust of 40 mph from the west on the 28th at 1332 was
the strongest wind gust recorded this month and caused blowing snow
at the times of gust.
January DAILY Records Tied or Broken (23-Years of records):
1 daily HIGH maximum temperature record: 4;
4 daily LOW maximum temperature records: 24,26,30,31;
2 daily LOW minimum temperature records: 30, 31;
1 daily HIGH range record for the date: 4.
" [ - - ]
Arlington
- NWS WBC reports:
"ON THE 3RD...THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL
AIRPORT REACHED 68°. THAT TIED THE RECORD SET IN 2000.
AFTER OUR SECOND WETTEST YEAR IN OVER A HUNDRED YEARS...THE NEW
YEAR STARTED OFF WITH A BREAK. JANUARY WAS TIED FOR THE SEVENTH
DRIEST JANUARY ON RECORD. BUT WHAT WE GOT IN A RESPITE FROM THE
RAINFALL... WE TOOK BACK IN THE TEMPERATURE DEPARTMENT. IN A
GENERATION ONLY THREE OTHER JANUARYS HAVE BEEN AS COLD. SINCE 1975...
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:
1977 25.4°,
1982 28.1°,
1994 28.8°,
2004 30.5°.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EVEN COLDER. IN FACT AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF
THE NEW YEAR... NONE OF THAT SEEMED TO BE TRUE. IN THE FIRST FIVE
DAYS... WE TIED A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE... GOT INTO THE LOW 70S ON
ANOTHER DAY... AND ALREADY HAD JUST UNDER AN INCH OF RAIN. THEN THE
OTHER SHOE DROPPED. THE TEMPERATURE WENT FROM HIGHS IN THE 60S AND
70S TO MOSTLY 20S AND 30S. OUR EIGHT DEGREES ON THE MORNING OF THE
10TH WAS THE COLDEST MORNING SINCE 1996.
WITH THE COMBINATION OF COLD TEMPERATURES AND SOME PRECIPITATION...
THERE WAS SOME SNOW. WE HAD EXACTLY OUR AVERAGE JANUARY SNOWFALL OF
6.2 INCHES. MOST OF THAT CAME DURING A LATE MONTH EVENT WHERE JUST
UNDER SIX INCHES OF SNOW FELL BETWEEN THE 25TH AND 27TH.
The monthly precipitation was 1.86" BELOW normal while the average temperature was
4.4° BELOW normal.
" [ - - ]
Blacksburg
- NWS Blacksburg reports the monthly mean temp was 1.3° BELOW normal
while rainfall was 0.82" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 8.9
MPH. [ - - ]
Bridgewater
- "
The average monthly temperature was 1.5 degrees below normal.
Precipitation was 1.75 inches below normal. In the last 16 days, there was
only 1 overnight low temperature above 32°. In the last part of the
month, the arctic air really took over.
" - report from Clayton [ - - ]
Centreville
- "
Except for a few days worth of freezing drizzle, freezing rain, freezing
fog and rime, an occasional snowflake, and a bit of rain, I could have set
everything on automatic and enjoyed a couple of weeks in the tropics.
While 76° on January 4th reminded me of how much "sun & fun" I was missing,
the overall average monthly temperature was 30.0° even, just 1.5° below
the 31.5° average. Average daily highs figured out to be 3.7° below the 41.2°
average monthly high and January gained a spot in the headlines for having
22 days during the month registering below the daily average high.
Even the average nightly lows gained some recognition for not being a
warm as in the past. With 21.8° being the suggested average low,
we came in just 0.7° higher with 22.5° for an average monthly low.
While something was frozen on the ground almost every day during the
last two weeks of January, it's hard to believe that a total accumulation
of 1.74" was all we received from a wide assortment of precipitation
for the month. That works out to be 49% of our 3.52" normal, and starts the
year 2004 with a 1.78" deficit (let's not forget the surplus of over
two feet from 2003 however). Some of the water measured here was from
the water equivalent of snow which, by the way, was in short supply
for the month too with only 6.6" measured, or 73% of the January 9.1" normal.
The snowblower (aka S.B.) was all smiles on the morning of the
26th when 5.3" had settled overnight, depositing 80% of our
January snow total. Talking about winter and snow, it sure makes
Miami sound good right about now!
" - notes from Paul [ + + ]
Charlottesville
- The monthly average temperature was 3.2° BELOW normal while rainfall
was 2.54" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.2 mph. - from NWS WBC
[ - - ]
Danville
- The average station sea-level pressure was 30.07"
Dulles
- The mean temp was a whopping 4.4° BELOW normal. The monthly rainfall was
1.86" BELOW normal. Average wind speed, 10.5 mph. - from NWS WBC [ - - ]
Falls Church -
"
A cold first month of the new year. It started out mild and then had wave
after wave of arctic air systems. This month was colder than average with
below average rainfall. Snowfall for the month was about average.
" - report from Erica [ - - ]
Herndon
- Bob sends these notes:"
My average MAX temp was 6.5° BELOW the Dulles "normal"
and the average MIN was 1.3° BELOW. Winds are tree affected.
Dulles is about 4 miles WSW and its normal is the 1971-2000 average.
" - [ - - ]
Herndon
- Russ notes:"
January began mild, but temperatures quickly plummeted
and we experienced prolonged periods of frigid weather.
The monthly temperature was 4.0° below average
and precipitation was 1.23" below average. Snow fell
on the 9th (0.75"), 25th (3.0"), 26th (1.5") and
27th (1.0", breaks previous record of 0.3"). Freezing
rain fell on the 17th, 18th, 26th and 27th. Sleet fell
on the 17th and 27th.
" - [ - - ]
Lexington
- "
Mean Max for the month was 8.2° below normal while Mean Min was 4°
degrees below normal. 7.3" of snow/sleet was recorded which is 2 inches
above normal.
January 2004 was the coldest on record here since 1996 and the driest month
since August, 2002.
" - report from Scott at WREL-AM Radio [ - - ]
Lynchburg
- Rainfall for the month was 1.80" BELOW normal while the mean temp was
1.8° BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.3 MPH. The average sea-level
pressure was 30.07".
- from NWS Blacksburg
[ - - ]
New Market
- Joyce sends these notes:
"
We were below normal for precipitation during January but snowfall was okay.
Temperature-wise, we were 5° below normal!
"
- [ - - ]
Norfolk
- NWS AKQ noted the average temperature in Norfolk was 1.4° BELOW normal.
The month's rainfall was 2.34" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 10.4 mph.
The average relative humidity 56% and the average sky cover was 40%.
15TH DRIEST JANUARY ON RECORD AT NORFOLK. THIS WAS THE 31ST
COLDEST JANUARY ON RECORD AT NORFOLK.
RECORD-TYING 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF 76°+ HIGH TEMPERATURES AT NORFOLK.
- [ - - ]
Norfolk
- The Fred Heutte Center, in Historic
Ghent reports the average wind speed was 7.1 mph from a dominant N direction.
Portsmouth
-
November was colder and drier than normal. It was the 7TH
driest and the 10TH coldest January in the database beginning 7/1976.
Temperature records included the following: 3RD - TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM 76° [PREVIOUS 73° 2000];
4TH - TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM 78° [PREVIOUS 76° 2000];
4TH - TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM MINIMUM 61° [PREVIOUS 53° 2000];
5TH - TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM 75° [PREVIOUS 71° 1997];
9TH - PRECIPITATION SNOWFALL 2.8" [PREVIOUS 1/4" 1978]
25TH - TEMPERATURE MINIMUM MAXIMUM 32ø [PREVIOUS 35ø 2000].
The month began on a warm note with temps reaching 78° on the 4th before
a cold front with embedded thunder passed on the 5th dropping highs from the
70s to the 40s and 30s. The rare bay effect snowshowers were noted on the
10th as cold air moved across the lower Chesapeake Bay spawning snow plumes,
similar to those of the Great Lakes. The SHSN failed to produce more than a trace of new snow.
Cold high pressure began to build
in the Eastern half of the US as deep upper troughs were carved out repeatedly
allowing arctic air to build S into the troughs for the remainder of the month.
The southern portion of the upper flow failed to bring significant storms across
the SE US and the area here was spared of significant coastal storms. However,
several upper air disturbances moved in from the northwest and west bringing some
lighter snows to the area on the 9th and again on the 25th. The snowstorm of
the 25th was a more intense system working with colder air and producing a powdery
snow that quickly accumulated on all surfaces as temps were in the lower 20s at
onset of the snowfall. The average sky cover was 33% and the average sea-level
pressure was 30.06".
- [ - - ]
Mechanicsville
- Glenn sends these notes: "Scattered snow and sleet with freezing rain during the
month. 4.3" of snow fell on the 26th with some freezing rain. The snow had
a very shiny plaster-look when the freezing rain had ended.
[ - - ]
Richmond
- NWS AKQ reported the mean temp at RIC was 3.1° BELOW normal. Rainfall
was 2.00" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 9.0 mph. The average sky
cover was 50% and the average relative humidity was 63%.
14TH COLDEST JANUARY ON RECORD AT RICHMOND AND COLDEST SINCE
1988. 15TH DRIEST JANUARY ON RECORD AT RICHMOND. DRIEST JANUARY AT
RICHMOND SINCE 1981.
THIS WAS THE COLDEST JANUARY SINCE 1988.
- [ - - ]
Ruther Glen
- From Danny: "
January brought the first measurable snowfall of the season, and a
significant multi-day snow, sleet, and freezing rain event during the
last week of the month. The trend of above average precipitation
came to an abrupt end with only 1.45" liquid equivalent during the month.
Despite an extremely warm start (68° on the 4th), January also
finished well-below normal in terms of temperature.
" - [- -]
Roanoke
- Wendell summarizes the month:"
Despite the fact that most of January was rather cold and snowy, the month averaged
½° above normal. Precip at 1.96" was 0.93" below normal. Snowfall of 7½" was
1.4" above normal. The first 5 days of the month were unseasonably warm which caused
an above normal average for the month.
" - [ + - ]
Roanoke
- NWS Blacksburg reports that the Roanoke airport monthly mean temp was 1.2° BELOW normal.
Rainfall was 1.60" BELOW normal. The average sea-level pressure was 30.07".
[ - - ]
Woodstock
- "
This was the second driest January I have recorded.
Only 1986, the first year I kept records had less precip. January was also very
cold, with 1994 the only one of 19 years colder. The average mean tied
2002, so we have had two bitter winters in a row, and February is
starting to look the same.
" - from Lauck [ - - ]
North
Carolina:
Asheville
- from NWS GSP: The monthly mean temp was 0.1° ABOVE and the
rainfall was 3.23" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 9.2 mph.
[ + - ]
Charlotte
- NWS GSP reports the mean temp here was 2.0° BELOW normal and precip
was 3.08" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.2 mph.
- [ - - ]
Elizabeth
City - The Elizabeth City Coast Guard Station [ECG] reported an average
wind speed of 11.1 mph. The mean temp was 4.4° below normal while rainfall
was 3.41" BELOW normal. The average relative humidity was 68% while the average
sky cover was 30%. - from NWS AKQ [ - - ]
Cape Hatteras -
"
The average temperature in January was 42.5°. This was -3.8° cooler than the
1895-2004 average, the 22nd coolest January on record (1895-2004).
2.05" of precipitation fell in January. This was 2.98" less than the 1895-2004
average, the 9th driest such month on record (1895-2004).
"
- from NCDC [ - - ]
Fayetteville
- NWS RDU reports the average wind speed was 8.2 mph. The average sky cover
was 30% and the average relative humidity was 58%.
Greensboro
- NWS RDU notes a mean temp here that was 1.0° BELOW normal. Rainfall was
2.69" BELOW normal. A NEW DAILY RECORD MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 72°
WAS SET ON THE 3RD. THE OLD RECORD WAS 71° SET ON THIS DATE IN 1997 AND IN
2000. THIS WAS ALSO THE THIRD DRIEST JANUARY ON RECORD.
- [ - - ]
Hickory
- The average wind speed was 6.2 mph. The average monthly temperature was 0.4°
BELOW normal while rainfall was 3.08" BELOW normal. - from NWS GSP [ - - ]
Lumberton
- The average wind speed was 6.8 mph. The average monthly temperature was 0.5°
BELOW normal while rainfall was 3.15" BELOW normal - from NWS ILM [ - - ]
Raleigh
-
NWS RDU reports the average daily temperatures were 1.7° BELOW normal while
precipitation was 2.79" BELOW normal. The average wind speed
was 6.9 mph. The average sky cover was 50% and the average relative humidity
was 59%.
THE DAILY LOW MAXIMUM OF 29° WAS TIED ON THE 25TH, THE OLD RECORD WAS SET
ON THAT DAY IN 1961. THIS WAS THE THIRD DRIEST JANUARY ON RECORD, AND SNOWFALL
OF 3" ON THE 9TH WAS A NEW RECORD FOR THAT DAY IN JANUARY. THE OLD RECORD
WAS A TRACE IN 1978.
" - [ - - ]
Raleigh
- Bob notes: "
Winter returned in January with two winter weather events. The first
occurred on January 9th when 2.5" of snow accumulated. The second event
began on the morning of the 25th and ended late on the 26th. This event
started as snow, changed to sleet, and ended with light freezing rain.
Maximum depth was 3.5" measured on the 25th. Area schools were closed for
four days. Additional information the Raleigh NWS web page http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/.
Overall, both temperatures and precipitation for January were below normal.
" - [ - - ]
Roxboro
- Merriell reports:"
January temperatures ranged from mild to cold to very cold, but averaged near normal.
Total rainfall (including melted snow) was only about a third of the normal.
Two rounds of wintry precipitation left six inches of snow.
" - [ -/+ - ]
Wilmington
- From NWS ILM: The average temp was 3.3° BELOW normal while rainfall
was 2.34" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 8.3 mph.
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE (78°) SET ON 4TH. PREVIOUS RECORD HIGH 76° SET IN 2000.
A RECORD 24-HR RAINFALL (1.56") SET ON 26TH. PREVIOUS RECORD 1.18" SET IN 1895.
- [ - - ]
South
Carolina:
Anderson
- NWS GSP reports the monthly mean temp was 0.2° BELOW normal.
rainfall was 2.51" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.9 mph. -
[ - - ]
Charleston
- NWS CHS reports the monthly mean temp was 1.7° BELOW normal. Rainfall
was 2.51" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 8.1 mph. - [ - - ]
Columbia
- NWS CAE reports that the mean temp here was 1.2° BELOW normal. Rainfall
was a 3.47" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.8 mph. -
[ - - ]
Florence
- The mean temp here was 2.3° BELOW normal while rainfall totals were
3.16" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.3 mph.
- from NWS ILM
[ - - ]
Greenville-Spartanburg
- The monthly mean temperature was 0.6° ABOVE normal while rainfall
was 3.05" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.2 mph. - from NWS
GSP [ + - ]
North
Myrtle Beach - The mean temp was 1.0° BELOW normal while rainfall
was 1.43" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.7 mph.
RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE (18°) SET ON 11TH. PREVIOUS RECORD LOW 25° SET IN 1996.
RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE (27°) TIED ON 29TH. RECORD FOR THIS DATE WAS SET IN 1952.
" - data from NWS ILM [ - - ]
Orangeburg
- NWS CAE reports the average wind speed here was 5.8 mph.
Nearby
Cities:
Tri-Cities
-
"
The average monthly temperature at Tri-Cities was 33.2°, which was 1.0°
below normal. It tied with 1968 and 2001 as the 20th coldest January on
record at Tri-Cities. No daily records were broken. The coldest January at
Tri-Cities was back in 1977, when the average temperature was only 22.1°.
Tri-Cities received 2.88" of precipitation during January, which was 0.64"
below normal. It ranked as the 26th driest January on record at Tri-Cities.
Measurable precipitation occurred on only nine days, but only two had more
than one-half inch. The heaviest precipitation fell on the 5th, when 1.40"
were recorded. The driest January at Tri-Cities was back in 1940, when only 1.06"
fell.
- from NWS MRX [ - - ]
Davis, West Virginia
- An interesting note... the temperature remained below 32° continuously
from January 19th through the end of the month! (and continued into the time
of day of this report, February 2nd!)
" - from Dave [ - + ]
Orangeburg
- NWS CAE reports the average wind speed here was 5.8 mph.
