February’s weather statistics dissected
Without looking at the rest of this article, did February feel like a normal February weather-wise to you? I’d love to hear what your feelings are. After reading this article, share your opinions with me by commenting at the bottom of this web about this past month. Now, let’s get to those numbers and break them down. The following data is official weather numbers compiled at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
Let’s start with temperatures first. If you averaged out all of the high and low temperatures for the month and compared them to normal, then February 2011 technically was a near normal month with a mean temperature of 23.8° compared to a normal February which has a mean of 24.5°. That would mean temperatures were slightly below normal (-0.7°), but close enough to normal statistically.
However, digging deeper into the numbers reveal that February had many individual days with above to well above and below to well below normal days. 68% of February days were at least 5° above or below normal. Furthermore, 29% of February days were at least 10° above or below normal. The two warmest days were February 17th and 18th when the high temperature reached 51° and 55° respectively. The coldest low temperature was -9° (below zero) on February 11th.
Snowfall was well above normal when compared to other Februarys on record since 1903. Syracuse received 43.5” of snow for February 2011. This number is way above the normal February snowfall of 21.9”. This past month was so snowy,that its number is in the top eight snowiest month since 1903. Here is the list:
Snowiest Februarys
1. 72.6” - 1958
2. 59.5” - 2007
3. 51.3” - 1993
4. 50.0” - 1972
5. 49.6” - 1960
6. 46.1” - 1988
7. 44.1” - 1950
8. 43.5” - 2011
With respect to total precipitation (rain and melted snow/sleet), Syracuse ranked slight above normal. The official monthly total for liquid precipitation at Hancock Airport was 2.65” which was 0.53” above normal.
Looking forward into March, today and tomorrow’s temperatures are pretty close to normal. However, Thursday looks well below normal. Friday’s temperatures will be close to normal again. The weekend appears to feature above normal temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday. There are indications that temperatures will be close normal for early next week, but could once again dip below normal for the end of next week. Thereafter, it is tough to determine exact temperatures. The Climate Prediction Center forecasts the whole month of March to be near normal temperature-wise with near to possibly above normal precipitation. Long range forecasts like this, though, have low skill and accuracy. Stay tuned to our forecasts each day.
For more on your weather forecast, click on "Weather" and then the "Live Triple Doppler Radar" tab on our weather page. Make sure you refresh the Doppler radar to see the very latest information, as well. Furthermore, we have our new Interactive Doppler Radar on our website. You can zoom down to street level with Interactive Doppler Radar. You are in total control of where the radar can zoom in. Give it a try. Plus, click on our Severe Weather Tab and our Watches and Warnings map to see the very latest county specific watches and warnings. In addition, you can become my facebook friend here, and "follow" along with me on Twitter here.
