Spring Temperatures
Preliminary data indicates that spring temperatures were above the 30-year “normal”. The statewide mean spring temperature of 55.4°F was 2.0°F above the 1981-2010 mean value of 53.4°F (Figure 1). Spring 2017 was tied with 2002 as the 10th warmest since records began in 1895.
Spring Precipitation
The statewide mean precipitation of 13.00 inches was 1.30 inches above the 1981-2010 normal of 11.70 inches, putting it in the top 25 wettest since records began in 1895 (Figure 2).
Statewide Spatial Averages
Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that spring temperatures across the State were above normal at most locations, with the largest positive anomalies found across inland Sussex County (Figure 3).
Spring precipitation totals were quite varied across the State with positive anomalies found across northern Kent and southern New Castle Counties, while significant below normal anomalies were found in portions of Chester County, PA (Figure 4).
- Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean spring temperature (°F) 1895-2017. Red line indicates 1981-2010 normal.
- Figure 2. Delaware statewide spring precipitation (inches) 1895-2017. Red line indicates 1981-2010 normal.
- Figure 3. Spring 2017 average temperature departures (°F) from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
- Figure 4. Spring 2017 precipitation departures (inches) from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.