Data Date: April

April 2017: Very Warm and Dry Conditions Return to Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

April Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in April was 59.8o F; this was 6.3o F above the 1981-2010 normal of 53.5o F (Figure 1).  April 2017 was the warmest April since records began in 1895.  In fact, April 2017 was more than 2.0o F warmer than any other April on record. 

April Precipitation

Delaware’s statewide precipitation for April 2017 averaged 2.54 inches, 1.10 inches below the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 2).  Six of the last seven months in Delaware have seen below normal precipitation values.

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) shows that temperatures were above normal at every station across the State, with the largest temperature anomalies found in northern Sussex and southern Kent Counties (Figure 3).  Precipitation was below average at all but a few sites statewide (Figure 4).

 

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Pink flower protruding from water

Near Normal Conditions Characterize the 2016 Spring Season Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

 

Spring Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that temperatures were just above the 30-year normal during the spring season. The statewide mean spring temperature of 54.7°F was 1.3°F above the 1981-2010 mean value of 53.4°F (Figure 1).

Spring Precipitation

The statewide mean precipitation of 11.47 inches was 0.23 inches below the 1981-2010 normal of 11.70 inches, and was the 7th year in a row with below normal spring precipitation (Figure 2).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that spring temperatures were above normal across northern New Castle County and Chester County, PA, along with portions of Kent and Sussex counties. Below normal temperatures were found along coastal and southern Sussex County and across southern New Castle and northern Kent counties (Figure 3).

Spring precipitation varied significantly across the State depending upon location. Dry conditions were especially apparent across extreme northern Delaware and Chester County, PA (Figure 4).

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Long, thin plants with grey tone

April 2016 Cool and Continued Dry Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

 

April Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in April was 52.9°F; this was 0.6°F below the 1981-2010 normal of 53.5°F (Figure 1). April was the first month since October 2015 to see below normal temperatures across the First State.

April Precipitation

Delaware’s statewide precipitation for April 2016 averaged 3.11 inches, 0.53 inches below the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 2).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) shows that temperatures were below normal across the majority of the State, with some stations reporting departures of more than 3.0°F below the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 3). Precipitation was below normal across most of the State, except the southern and southeastern portion of Sussex County, DE (Figure 4).

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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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Flowers

Delaware Sees Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation During Spring 2015

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
Posted on Mon 06/15/15

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Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean Spring temperature (°F) 1895 through 2015.
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Figure 2. Delaware statewide spring precipitation (inches) 1895-2015.

Spring Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that spring temperatures were near normal this year. The statewide mean spring temperature of 54.0°F was 0.6°F above the 1981-2010 normal of 53.4°F (Figure 1). Monthly temperatures during the season were quite varied, with March coming in much below average, April near normal and May much above average.

Spring Precipitation

The statewide mean precipitation of 9.15 inches was 2.55 inches below the 1981-2010 normal of 11.70 inches, and was the 6th year in a row with below normal spring precipitation (Figure 2).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that temperature anomalies across the State varied during the spring season with a mix of positive and negative departures found across the State (Figure 3).

Nearly every station in the DEOS network recorded below normal precipitation during the spring season, with some stations recording deficits of nearly five inches (Figure 4).

Spring 2015 average temperature departures

Figure 3. Spring 205 average temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
Spring 2015 precipitation departures

Figure 4. Spring 2015 precipitation departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
 
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Dewey Beach

Delaware’s Climate Returns to “Normal” during April 2015.

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

April Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in April was 53.8°F, 0.3°F above the 1981-2010 normal of 53.5°F (Figure 1). April 2015 was the first month during 2015 with near or above normal temperatures, following a very cold start to the year that lasted from January through March.

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Figure 2. April 2015 average temperature anomalies (°F) from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.

Average April temperatures varied from slightly above to slightly below average depending upon the location across the State (Figure 2).

April Precipitation

Delaware’s preliminary statewide precipitation total for April 2015 averaged 3.48 inches, 0.16 inches below the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 3).

Monthly totals ranged from nearly five inches in southeastern Delaware to less than three inches across Chester County, PA (Figure 4).

 
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Figure 3. Delaware statewide April precipitation (inches) 1895-2015.

 
April 2015 total precipitation (inches) based upon DEOS station data.
Figure 4. April 2015 total precipitation (inches) 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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Walkway on Bridge

Spring 2014 cool with near normal precipitation across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

 

 

Spring Temperatures

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Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean spring temperature (°F) 1895-2014.

Preliminary data indicates that Delaware experienced its second cooler than normal spring in a row in 2014. The Statewide mean spring temperature of 52.6°F was 0.8°F below the 1981-2010 normal of 53.4°F (Figure 1). Spring 2014 was the coolest spring in the last nine years (since 2005).

Spring Precipitation

Cool temperatures were accompanied by near normal

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Figure 2. Delaware statewide spring precipitation (inches) 1895-2014.

precipitation across the state during the spring season. The statewide mean precipitation of 11.53” was 0.17” below the 1981-2010 normal of 11.70”, and was the 5th year in a row with below normal spring precipitation (Figure 2). Although spring precipitation was near normal, spring snowfall (March) was much above normal especially in southern sections of Delaware (Figure 3).

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that all stations across Delaware experienced below average temperatures during the spring season with the largest anomalies found along the Atlantic coast in Sussex County (up to 4°F below normal; Figure 4).

Nearly all stations in Kent and Sussex counties, recorded below normal precipitation for the spring season, with deficits of between 3 and 4 inches common across Sussex County. Across New Castle County, DE and Chester County, PA, precipitation was generally above normal, with positive anomalies of between 4 and 5 inches found at some stations in Chester County, PA (Figure 5).

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Stream

Delaware Climate Near “Normal” in April 2014

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

April Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that the statewide average temperature in April was 53.4°F according to preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center. This is 0.1°F below the 1981-2010 normal of 53.5°F (Figure 1). Through April, each month in 2014 has seen below normal temperatures across Delaware.

April Precipitation

Delaware’s statewide precipitation for April 2014 averaged 4.33 inches, 0.69 inches above the 1981-2010 mean (Figure 2). This April was the 29th wettest since records began in 1895, and the wettest April since 2009.

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) shows that the mean April temperature anomalies across Delaware were generally below normal, with the greatest negative departures found in coastal Sussex County (Figure 3).

Precipitation varied greatly across the state with dry conditions covering most of Kent and Sussex counties, while much above normal precipitation fell across New Castle County and Chester County, PA (Figure 4). Most of the rain in northern areas fell in one major event on April 30th.

 
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Rainbow over Bridge

2013 Warm and Wet Across Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers

Delaware’s 2013 climate was characterized by slightly warmer than normal temperatures and above normal precipitation values.

 

Annual Temperature

Statewide mean annual temperature in 2013 was 56.5°F according to preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). This was 0.7°F above the 1981-2010 normal of 55.8°F (Figure 1) and was the fourth year in a row with above normal temperatures. However, this year was nearly 2.0°F cooler than 2012’s all time high value of 58.4°F.

Annual Precipitation

Statewide precipitation in 2013 averaged 49.93 inches, 4.07 inches above the 1981-2010 mean of 45.86 inches (Figure 2). Most areas of the state saw substantially above normal precipitation during the summer months, making the summer of 2013 the 5th wettest on record since 1895.

Statewide Spatial Averages

According to data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS; deos.udel.edu), mean annual temperatures were above normal across portions of New Castle, western Kent and Sussex counties, and across Chester County, PA (Figure 3). Mean annual temperatures were below normal across the remainder of the State.

Precipitation was much above normal in all locations except southwestern Kent County and portions of Chester County, PA (Figure 4). The largest positive precipitation departures were found along the eastern portions of Sussex County where some locations received 10 inches more precipitation than normal.

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