Data Date: January

Bird sitting on a branch

January 2017: Warm Temperatures and Near Normal Precipitation Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

 
 

January Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in January was 39.1°F; this was 5.0°F above the 1981-2010 normal of 34.1°F (Figure 1). January 2017 was the 14th warmest January since records began in 1895, and was 0.1°F warmer than December 2016. January 2017 was also the 8th month in a row with above normal temperatures across the First State.

January Precipitation

Delaware’s statewide precipitation for January 2017 averaged 3.21 inches, 0.11 inches below the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 2). A significant snowstorm blanketed the state on January 7th. This storm dropped over 10 inches of snow on some locations in Sussex County. Cold temperatures followed the storm with minimum temperatures dipping below zero in many snow-covered locations across Sussex County on the morning of January 9th (Figure 3).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) shows that temperatures were above normal across the entire State, with departures reaching over 5.0°F in many locations (Figure 4). Total liquid precipitation was near, or just below normal across the entire State (Figure 5).

 

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Snowflake up close

January 2016: Temperature and Precipitation Near Normal Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

 

January Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in January was 34.2o F; this was 0.1°F above the 1981-2010 normal of 34.1°F (Figure 1). January 2016 was 16.7°F colder than December 2015, which was the warmest December ever recorded.

December Precipitation

Delaware’s statewide precipitation for January 2016 averaged 3.01 inches, 0.1 inches above the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 2). A major snowstorm impacted the State during January 22-24, with significant accumulations blanketing the entire State.

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) shows that temperatures were near normal across most of the State, with small departures at most stations (Figure 3). Total liquid precipitation was near, or just below normal across the entire State.

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Raindrops on glass

Very Warm and Moist Conditions Characterize the 2015-2016 Winter Season Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
 
 

 

Winter Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that winter temperatures were far above the 30-year “normal” during the winter season. The statewide mean winter temperature of 41.1°F was 4.8°F above the 1981-2010 mean value of 36.3°F (Figure 1). This made winter 2015-2016 the 4th warmest since records began in 1895.

Witer Precipitation

The statewide mean precipitation of 11.47 inches was 1.71 inches above the 1981-2010 normal of 9.76 inches, and was the 3rd year in a row with above normal winter precipitation (Figure 2).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that winter temperatures across the entire State were above normal, with the largest anomalies found in northern Sussex and northern New Castle counties in Delaware and in Chester County, PA (Figure 3).

Winter precipitation varied significantly across the State depending upon location. In general, the heaviest precipitation fell across interior Sussex County, DE (Figure 4). At the New Castle County Airport, 22.7 inches of snow fell during the December through February winter season, a value slightly above the 1981-2010 mean.

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Drops of water on bright green grass

Temperature and Precipitation Both Above Normal Across Delaware During 2015

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
 
 
 

Annual Temperatures

Statewide mean annual temperature in 2015 was 56.4°F according to preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). This was 1.0°F above the 1981-2010 normal of 55.4°F (Figure 1) and was the 11th warmest year in Delaware since 1895.

Monthly temperatures varied greatly throughout the year (Figure 2). The first three months of 2015 saw much below normal temperatures, including the 6th coldest February since 1895. The last nine months of the year saw above normal temperatures, except for October, which was slightly below normal. Tremendous warmth ended the year with December temperatures averaging 12.4°F above the 1981-2010 mean. December 2015 was the warmest December on record, smashing the old record by 6.1°F.

Annual Precipitation

Statewide precipitation in 2015 averaged 46.37 inches, 2.04 inches above the 1981-2010 mean of 44.33 inches (Figure 3).

Monthly precipitation anomalies varied between positive and negative throughout the year, with seven months of below normal and five months of above normal precipitation (Figure 4). June saw the largest precipitation anomaly of 5.30 inches above the 30-year normal, helping to push the annual value above the long-term mean.

Statewide Spatial Averages

According to data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS; deos.udel.edu), mean annual temperature anomalies varied across Delaware (Figure 5). Northern New Castle County, much of Sussex County, southern Kent County and Chester County, PA all experienced above normal temperatures for the year. Coastal Sussex County and western portions of News Castle and Kent counties saw below normal mean annual temperatures.

Precipitation across the region varied substantially in 2015, ranging from just under 40 inches to greater than 50 inches at several locations across the State (Figure 6).

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Barn in Snow

Cold and Snowy Conditions Dominate Delaware’s 2014-15 Winter Season

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
de_statewideWinterTemp-1896-2015
Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean winter temperature (°F) 1895-1896 through 2014-15.

 
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Figure 2. Delaware statewide winter precipitation (inches) 1895-1896 through 2014-15.

 

Winter Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that Delaware’s winter (December, January and February) temperature was below the 1981-2010 normal for the second year in a row. The Statewide mean winter temperature of 33.1°F was 3.2°F below the 30-year normal of 36.3°F. The 2014-15 winter season was the 30th coolest since records began in 1895 (Figure 1).

Winter Precipitation

Cold temperatures were accompanied by above normal precipitation across the state during the winter season. The statewide mean precipitation of 11.05” was 1.29” above the 1981-2010 normal of 9.76”, and was the second winter in a row with above normal values, and the 34th wettest winter since records began in 1895 (Figure 2).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Mean winter temperatures across the state were cold throughout, with temperatures ranging from 2.5°F to as much as 6.5°F below the 30-year mean (Figure 3). Precipitation across the State was highest across Sussex County, with values of over 12 inches in several locations (Figure 4). Winter precipitation values were lower over New Castle County, DE and Chester County, PA, with values generally less than 10 inches.

The colder than normal temperatures, combined with ample precipitation resulted in snowfall totals that were generally above normal across most of the State. Fifteen snowfall events dropped measurable snow on the First State during the winter season. Snowfall during the months of November through March (Delaware’s typical snowfall season) was greater than 20 inches across most of northern New Castle County, DE and Chester County, PA (Figure 5). Snowfall across Kent and Sussex Counties generally ranged from 13 to nearly 20 inches.

Winter 2014-15 average temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
Figure 3. Winter 2014-15 average temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.

 
Winter 2014-15 precipitation based upon DEOS station data.
Figure 4. Winter 2014-15 total precipitation based upon DEOS station data.

 
Winter 2014-15 snowfall totals based upon DEOS station data.
Figure 5. Winter (November through March) 2014-15 snowfall totals based upon DEOS station data.

2015 Begins with Cold Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
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Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean January temperature (°F) 1895-2015.
de_statewideJanPrecip-1895-2015_0.png

Figure 2. Delaware statewide mean January precipitation (inches) 1895-2015.

January Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in January was 32.6°F, 1.5°F below the 1981-2010 normal of 34.1°F (Figure 1). Although temperature during January 2015 was below normal, it was still 2.6°F warmer than last year’s frigid January value.

January Precipitation

Delaware’s preliminary statewide precipitation total for January 2015 averaged 4.85 inches, 1.53 inches above the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 2). 2015 was the first January since 2007 t°have above normal precipitation across Delaware.

Statewide Spatial Averages

All stations across the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) network experienced lower than normal temperatures during January (Figure 3). Temperature anomalies ranged from approximately 1°F t°as much as 4°F below the 30-year mean.

Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware saw the highest precipitation amounts during January, with over 5 inches observed at several locations (Figure 4). Precipitation amounts generally decreased moving north int°New Castle County, Delaware and Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Several minor snowfall events occurred during the month of January, but snowfall amounts were generally low for the month across the entire State (Figure 5).

January 2015 average temperature anomalies from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.

Figure 3. January 2015 average temperature anomalies from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
Jan 2015 total precipitation based upon DEOS station data.

Figure 4. January 2015 total precipitation based upon DEOS station data.
Figure 5. January 2015 snowfall totals based upon DEOS station data.

Figure 5. January 2015 snowfall totals based upon DEOS station data.
 
 
Cars in Wilmington

Cool Temperatures and Near Normal Precipitation Characterize Delaware’s Climate During 2014

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
Posted on Mon 01/26/15 , Updated 02/01/16

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Figure 1. Delaware statewide annual mean temperature (°F) 1895-2014.
December monthly temperature anomalies.

Figure 2. Delaware monthly temperature anomalies.

Annual Temperatures

Statewide mean annual temperature in 2014 was 54.8°F according to preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). This was 0.6°F below the 1981-2010 normal of 55.4°F (Figure 1) and was the coolest year in Delaware since 2003.

Monthly temperatures varied greatly throughout the year (Figure 2). The first four months of 2014 saw much below normal temperatures accompanied by heavy snowfall across the State. Although late spring and early summer saw a return to above normal temperatures, the late summer climate was cooler than normal, a welcome respite from the summer heat for many residents. The year ended with a return to warmth in three of the last four months.

Annual Precipitation

Statewide precipitation in 2014 averaged 43.49 inches, 0.84 inches below the 1981-2010 mean of 44.33 inches (Figure 3).

Monthly precipitation anomalies varied between positive and negative throughout the year, with six months of above normal and six months of below normal precipitation (Figure 4). None of the monthly precipitation anomalies were large, leading to the near normal annual total.

Statewide Spatial Averages

According to data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS; deos.udel.edu), mean annual temperatures were below normal across the entire State with the largest negative anomalies found in coastal Sussex County (Figure 5).

Precipitation across the region varied substantially in 2014, ranging from just under 39 inches to greater than 50 inches across the region (Figure 6).

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Figure 3. Delaware statewide annual precipitation (inches) 1895-2014.
Delaware monthly precipitation anomalies.

Figure 4. Delaware monthly precipitation anomalies.
2014 mean annual temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.

Figure 5. 2014 mean annual temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
2014 annual precipitation totals based upon DEOS station data.

Figure 6. 2014 annual precipitation totals based upon DEOS station data.
 
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Snow on Barn

Winter 2013-2014 Climate Update

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

Below normal temperatures and heavy snowfall characterized Delaware’s Climate during the 2013-2014 winter season.

 

Winter Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that Delaware’s winter temperature was below the 1981-2010 normal for the third time in the last five years. The Statewide mean winter temperature of 34.9°F was 1.4°F below the 30-year normal of 36.3°F. Although slightly cooler than normal, this winter’s temperature was actually near the middle of all winters since records began in 1895 (Figure 1).

Winter Precipitation

Cold temperatures were accompanied by above normal precipitation across the state during the winter season. The statewide mean precipitation of 12.35” was 2.59” above the 1981-2010 normal of 9.76”, and was the first winter since 2009-2010 with above normal values (Figure 2), and the 18th wettest winter since records began in 1895.

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that mean winter temperatures across the state were cold throughout, with the coldest conditions found along coastal Sussex County and in sections of northern Kent and southern New Castle Counties (Figure 3). The spatial patterns of average maximum (Figure 4) and minimum (Figure 5) temperatures were similar to that of the mean winter temperature across the First State.

The colder than normal temperatures, combined with above normal precipitation resulted in heavy snowfall totals across the entire State during the 2013-2014 snowfall season. More than twice the seasonal average fell across the entire state with some locations receiving nearly three times their average accumulations. Snowfall totals ranged from over 50 inches in northern New Castle County and Chester County, PA to greater than 25 inches across extreme southern portions of Delaware.

 
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Snow on Berries

January Brings Cold and Snowy Conditions to Delaware to Begin 2014

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

Delaware’s Climate during January 2014 was characterized by colder than normal temperatures and below normal precipitation values. Although total precipitation was below normal across the State, 2014 ranked as the 4th snowiest January since records began in 1948.

 

January Temperatures

Statewide average temperature in January was 31.4°F according to preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). This was 3.1°F below the 1981-2010 normal of 34.5°F (Figure 1) and was more than 5.5°F colder than January 2013. Although cold, this January ranks as only the 34th coldest January since records began in 1895.

January Precipitation

Statewide precipitation in January averaged 2.58 inches, 0.85 inches below the 1981-2010 mean of 3.43 inches (Figure 2). Many areas of the state saw substantial snowfall during the month with portions of northern and central Delaware receiving more than 18 inches (Figure 3).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Mean monthly temperatures were well below normal across the entire state and at all DEOS stations (deos.udel.edu) in January, with the largest negative temperature anomalies found across southern and coastal Sussex County (Figure 4).

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Bridge in Snow

MODIS Satellite Captures Mid-Atlantic Snowcover Extent

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

As a quick-moving and intense Winter storm exits the Mid-Atlantic region on January 22nd, MODIS Terra captured a wondrous view of the the snow cover extent over the Mid-Atlantic region. Snow cover extended from North Carolina northward to New England and appears to blanket the Delmarva Peninsula in white.

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MODIS Satellite Image showing the extent of snow cover over the mid-Atlantic from the January 21-22 storm. Courtesy udsrs.udel.edu

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