Data Date: May

Jogging

Spring 2013 Brings Below Normal Temperatures and Dry Conditions to Delaware

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
Posted on Tue 06/25/13

Below normal temperatures and below normal rainfall characterized Delaware’s Climate during spring 2013.

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Figure 1. Delaware statewide Spring temperature (°F) 1895-2013.
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Figure 2. Delaware statewide Spring precipitation (inches) 1895-2013.

Spring Temperatures

Preliminary data indicates that Delaware experienced its first cooler than normal spring since 2007 this year. The Statewide mean spring temperature of 53.3° F was 0.3° F below the 1981-2010 normal of 53.6°F. This spring’s cooler than normal conditions followed last year’s record warmest spring when temperatures averaged nearly 5° F warmer (Figure 1).

Spring Precipitation

Cool temperatures were accompanied by dry conditions across the state during the spring season. The statewide mean precipitation of 9.57” was 2.41” below the 1981-2010 normal of 11.98”, and was the 4th year in a row with below normal spring precipitation (Figure 2). Although below normal, spring 2013 precipitation was more than 5” greater than that of 2012, which holds the distinction of being the driest spring on record.

Statewide Spatial Averages

Data from the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) show that a majority of stations across Delaware experienced below average temperatures during the spring season with the largest anomalies found along the Atlantic coast in Sussex County (nearly 5° F below normal). Pockets of above normal temperature anomalies were found in northern Sussex and southern Kent Counties and in parts of Chester County, PA. (Figure 3).

All stations in the DEOS network recorded below normal precipitation values during spring 2013, except for Selbyville, DE. The largest precipitation deficits were generally found across northern New Castle County, DE and Chester County, PA (Figure 4).

Spring 2013 average temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data

Figure 3. Spring 2013 average temperature departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data.
Delaware Spring 2013 average precipitation departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data

Figure 4. Spring 2013 precipitation departures from the 1981-2010 mean based upon DEOS station data
 
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Sunrise in Delaware

2012 is Warmest Year on Record for Delaware Since 1895

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
Posted on Sat 02/23/13 , Updated 04/05/13

Statewide Mean Annual Temperature 1895-2012

Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean annual temperature (°F) 1895-2012.

Preliminary data indicates that Delaware saw its warmest year on record during 2012.

The mean annual temperature of 58.8 ° F was 3.9 ° F above the 1895 – 2012 mean temperature, making it the warmest year since records began in 1895.

This year broke the previous record of 58.1 ° F set in 2011.

The six warmest years on record have all occurred since 1990 (Figure 1).

The warm temperatures were accompanied by very dry conditions across the state during the year. The statewide mean precipitation of 34.53” was 10.05” below the 1895-2012 statewide mean, making 2012 the 6th driest year since records began in 1895 (Figure 2).

Conditions in Delaware mirrored those across much of the United States.

The contiguous 48 states had their highest temperature and 15th driest year since 1895 (Figures 3 and 4).

 
Statewide Annual Precipitation 1895-2012

Figure 2. Delaware statewide mean precipitation (inches) 1895-2012.
US temperature anomalies for 2012

Figure 3. Temperature anomalies (°F) across the contiguous United States. Map provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
US temperature anomalies for 2012

Figure 4. Precipitation anomalies (inches) across the contiguous United States. Map provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
 
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Kites in the Sky

First six months of 2012 warmest and driest in Last 118 Years

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
 

The January through June 2012 mean temperature of 55.0 degrees Fahrenheit was greater than five degrees above the 1895-2011 average (Figure 1).

 

The statewide January through June precipitation total of 11.88 inches was nearly ten inches below the 1895-2011 average, making 2012 the driest January through June period since 1895 (Figure 2).

Although the final data may change the rankings slightly, it is clear that January

 

through June of 2012 was unusually warm and dry across the First State.

 

High evapotranspiration rates (evaporation from the surface and transpiration from vegetation) associated with the warm temperatures, combined with record low precipitation, have produced very dry conditions across much of the State (Figure 3). In fact, nearly 82% of the state is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions, while nearly one-third is considered to be severely dry (much and Kent and Sussex Counties).

 

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Flowers in Spring

Spring 2012: Warmest Spring in Last 118 Years

Posted on | by Dan Leathers
 

Preliminary data from the National Climatic Data

Center (NCDC) indicates that spring (MAM) of 2012 was the warmest across Delaware since records began in 1895.

 

The March through May 2012 mean temperature of 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit was nearly six degrees above the 1895-2011 average (Figure 1).

 

The last three spring seasons have all ranked in the top five warmest springs since records began.

The statewide March through May precipitation average of 6.93” was more than four inches below the 1895-2011 average, making 2012 the 5th driest spring season since 1895 (Figure 2).

Although the final data may change the rankings slightly, it is clear that spring 2012 was unusually warm and dry across the First State.

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