COMPARATIVE CLIMATE DATA
These data tables of meteorological elements outline the climatic conditions at major weather observing stations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Pacific Islands. The data are from observing sites presently in use or include data from former sites that are comparable in exposure. Stations having less than three years of data for the current operating site are omitted from the tables of observed data. Data in this publication have been extracted from the Normals Means and Extremes table contained in the Local Climatological Data Annual Summary, published for individual stations.
Stations are listed alphabetically by state. The tables are arranged so that values of the same element can be compared for different locations by use of a single table. Some weather stations do not regularly report various elements and will therefore not be listed in the table for that element. Asterisks (*) denote average frequency of occurrence greater than zero, but smaller than one half.
Climatological Normals
I.Observed Data (Monthly and Annual) - These values are the means and extremes for the Period of Record (number of years) indicated. Period of record are documented in the Local Climatological Data annual publications. A. Temperature - Highest of Record, Degrees Fahrenheit (F) B. Temperature - Lowest of Record, Degrees Fahrenheit (F) The annual temperature entry for each station represents the highest or lowest observed temperature in any month. C. Mean Number of Days with Minimum Temperature 32 Degrees F or less. The mean number of days with a minimum temperature of 32 degrees F or lower indicates the frequency of occurrence of days with freezing temperatures. D. Mean number of Days with Precipitation 0.01 Inches or More This table shows mean number of days per month with at least 0.01 inch of precipitation. This is the smallest amount of precipitation numerically recorded, and includes the liquid water equivalent of frozen precipitation. The frequency of days with precipitation should not be considered as frequency of cloudy days. E. Snowfall (including ICE PELLETS and SLEET) - Average Total in Inches. NOTE: Beginning in April 1988 HAIL is also included under Snowfall. Therefore, some stations may show snowfall during the warm months. F. Wind - Average Speed (MPH) The average wind speed is based on the speed of the wind regardless of direction. G. Wind - Maximum Speed (MPH) This table expresses both a maximum wind speed for the stations and, where available, the direction (referenced to true North) from which it blew. Short gusts are listed only for stations denoted with a (G). If the direction is expressed as one of the 16 compass points (N, NNE, NE, etc.) the maximum speed is calculated from the minimum time during which one mile of wind passed the station. Note that some stations that report short gusts (G) may also use the 16 compass point reference for wind direction. If the direction is expressed numerically, the maximum speed is the highest one minute average value recorded by the observer. Direction is given in tens of degrees clockwise from true North. H. Sunshine - Average Percentage of Possible The total time that sunshine reaches the