BLUE HILL METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY
MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS
ELEVATION 635 FEET, 10 MILES SSW OF BOSTON, MA
DAILY DISCUSSION AND CLIMATE SUMMARY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME
COOLER TEMPERATURES, BUT STILL ABOVE NORMAL;
CLOUDS SLOWLY ADVANCING FROM WEST
After our record warm November, temperatures have cooled off by a
noticeable 15-20 degrees. However, despite the cooler air mass,
temperatures are still running a few degress above normal.
Winds have been fairly light today, with a peak gust of only 16 mph
through early this afternoon. The wind direction has shifted from
NW earlier this morning to SSW this afternoon.
The morning started with a brilliant sunrise and a mostly clear sky.
High level clouds have been slowly invading the sky today from the
west, with a mostly cloud sky noted during the 1 PM observation.
November meteorological statistics and record warmth details are below.
NOVEMBER 2011 PRELIMINARY STATS
Average Max Temp: 57.0F [+7.7F]
Average Min Temp: 40.4F [+6.2F]
Mean Temp: 48.7F [+6.9F]
24-hr. Corr Mean Temp: 47.9F
Max Temp: 68F on 8th, 9th
Min Temp: 28F on 24th
Total heating degree day units (month): 481 [-217]
Total heating degree day units (season): 907 [-382] *start July 1
Total precipitation: 4.67 ins. [+0.03 in.]
Total snowfall: 0.0 in. [-2.7 ins.]
Maximum snow depth: 1 in. on 1st
Avg wind speed: 13.1 MPH
Avg corrected wind speed: 13.4 MPH
Prevailing wind direction: SSW [18%]
Peak gust: 50 MPH S on 30th
Peak fastest mile: 37 MPH SSE on 30th
SUNSHINE...
Total astronomical minutes: 10,572; OR 176.2 hrs.; OR 60%
Total Campbell-Stokes card minutes: 10,176; OR 169.6 hrs.; OR 60%
BLUE HILL WARMEST NOVEMBER AVERAGE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE (deg F),
1885-2011
1) 57.0 in 2011
2) 55.8 in 1975
3) 54.9 in 1927
4) 54.8 in 2001
5) 54.6 in 1931
54.6 in 1941
54.6 in 2006
8) 54.5 in 1948
54.5 in 1994
10) 54.0 in 1979
BLUE HILL WARMEST NOVEMBER AVERAGE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE (deg F),
1885-2011
1) 40.7 in 2006
40.7 in 2009
3) 40.4 in 2011
4) 40.2 in 1948
5) 40.1 in 1975
6) 39.3 in 1979
7) 38.4 in 1931
8) 38.0 in 1953
9) 37.9 in 1963
10) 37.8 in 2001
BLUE HILL WARMEST NOVEMBER CORRECTED MEAN TEMPERATURE (deg F),
1885-2011
1) 47.9 in 2011
2) 47.4 in 1975
3) 47.1 in 2006
4) 46.4 in 1948
46.4 in 1979
46.4 in 2009
7) 46.0 in 2001
8) 45.7 in 1953
45.7 in 1999
10) 45.6 in 1931
BLUE HILL WARMEST FALL (SEP-NOV) CORRECTED MEAN TEMPERATURE (deg F),
1885-2011
1) 55.1 in 2011
2) 54.8 in 1931
3) 54.3 in 1946
54.3 in 2001
5) 54.2 in 1953
6) 54.0 in 1999
54.0 in 2005
8) 53.8 in 1961
53.8 in 2007
10) 53.6 in 1990
Today's observations:
7 A.M.
Weather: Scattered dense cirrus, scattered thin cirrus, few cumulus
distant NNE-NE, cirrus and patches of dense cirrus WSW-NW-NNE invading
the sky, inversion present with an estimated top of 200 feet, ground
fog/valley fog 10 miles WSW-W, smoke layer distant NNW-E
Temperature: 32F, Dew point: 22F; Wind: NNW at 5 kts,
Wind: Light
Sea-level pressure: 30.32 inches Hg, steady
Visibility: 75 miles
6-hour min. temp: 31F
BHO SA 1155 220 SCT 250 -SCT 75 269/32/22/3305/032/ FEW CU DSNT NNE-NE
CI AND PTCHS DNS CI WSW-NW-NNE INVADING INVSN PRSNT ESTMTD TOP 2 HND
GF/VLY FG 10 WSW-W K LYR DSNT NNW-E WND LGT/ 8/104 54000 10033 20031
10 A.M.
Weather: Scattered dense cirrus, scattered thin cirrus, patches of dense
cirrus WSW-NNE, cirrus S-W-NNE invading the sky, light distant haze,
thin smoke layer distant all quadrants, dark smoke layer distant N-NE
Temperature: 41F, Dew Point: 26F; Wind: S at 5 kts,
Wind: Light
Sea-level pressure: 30.34 inches Hg, rising
Visibility: 70 miles, light distant haze
BHO SA 1455 220 SCT 250 亡CT 70 274/41/26/1905/034/ PTCHS DNS CI
WSW-NNE CI S-W-NNE INVADING LGT DSNT HZ THN K LYR DSNT ALQDS DRK K
LYR DSNT N-NE WND LGT/ 8/004 51005
1 P.M.
Weather: Scattered altocumulus, scattered cirrostratus, scattered dense
cirrus, broken thin cirrus, few cumulus along/offshore distant NE-SE,
altocumulus/altocumulus lenticularis distant WSW-NW-NNE, cirrostratus
layer distant WSW-NW-NNE invading the sky, few patches of dense cirrus
all quadrants, few cirrus floccus WSW-N, smoke layer distant N-NE,
light distant haze
Temperature: 48F, Dew Point: 27F; Wind: SSW at 8 kts,
Wind: Direction variable S-WSW
Sea-level pressure: 30.29 inches Hg, falling
Visibility: 65 miles, light distant haze
6-hour max. temp: 48F
BHO SA 1755 100 SCT 200 SCT 220 SCT 250 烹KN 65 256/48/27/2108/029/
FEW CU ALG/OFFSHR DSNT NE-SE AC/ACSL DSNT WSW-NW-NNE CS LYR DSNT
WSW-NW-NNE INVADING FEW PTCHS DNS CI ALQDS FEW CI FLOCCUS WSW-N
K LYR DSNT N-NE LGT DSNT HZ WND 18V24/ 8/145 57018 10048 20032
WEATHER SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
MAX.....46 NORMAL.....43
MIN.....33 NORMAL.....29
MEAN....40 NORMAL.....36
DEPARTURE FROM 30-YEAR NORMAL......................+4
TOTAL DEPARTURE FOR THE MONTH......................+4 [+4.0 DEGREES/DAY]
HEATING DEGREE DAYS
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR YESTERDAY.............25 DEPARTURE.........-4
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE MONTH.............25 DEPARTURE.........-4
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE SEASON...........932 DEPARTURE.......-386
TOTAL HEATING UNITS LAST SEASON TO DATE.....1176 DIFFERENCE......-244
PEAK GUST AND AVERAGE WIND SPEED (MPH)
PEAK WIND GUST FOR YESTERDAY.............29 NW AT 7:02 A.M.
AERO..................29 NW AT 7:02 A.M.
ASOS..................29 NNW AT 7:03 A.M.
DAVIS.................26 NW AT 7:29 A.M. RMY 27 MPH
THE FASTEST MILE FOR YESTERDAY...........21 NW AT 7:02 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE ASOS AVERAGE............21 NNW AT 7:03 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE DAVIS AVERAGE...........19 NW AT 7:03 A.M.
AVERAGE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION.......11.2 NW
ASOS................10.8
DAVIS................9.9 NW [317 deg]
PRECIPITATION (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL PRECIPITATION 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M....0.00 DEPARTURE..........-0.15
ASOS..............0.00
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH..........0.00 DEPARTURE..........-0.15
ASOS..............0.00
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE YEAR..........58.69 DEPARTURE.........+11.88
ASOS..............59.09**
**ASOS data is in error due to system failure on 1/12-13/11
SNOWFALL (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL SNOWFALL 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M..........0.0 DEPARTURE.........-0.2
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE MONTH................0.0 DEPARTURE.........-0.2
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON...............8.5 DEPARTURE.........+5.4
PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011 CALENDAR DAY DATA
DATA REPORTED:
DATE: MAX/MIN/MEAN/DEP/PRECIP/SNOW/SUN(MIN.)/SUN(%)/ PEAK GUST/AERO GUST
AERO: Aerovane wind recording system gust when significant
RMY: R.M. Young wind gust recording system added 8/9/2011
TSTM: Thunderstorm day (thunder heard some time during day)
....: Data not yet available, records not finalized
11/1 50/38/44/-3/0.00/0.0/286/46 25 ENE AERO 24 MPH ENE RMY 24
11/2 54/34/44/-2/0.00/0.0/619/100 17 S AERO 16 MPH S RMY N/A
11/3 60/40/50/+4/0.00/0.0/437/71 27 WSW AERO 30 MPH WSW RMY 28
11/4 49/33/41/-5/0.00/0.0/343/56 33 NW AERO 35 MPH NNW RMY 36
11/5 47/29/38/-7/0.00/0.0/556/91 18 NW AERO 21 MPH NNW RMY 21
11/6 56/35/46/+1/0.00/0.0/603/99 24 SSW AERO 24 MPH SSW RMY 26
11/7 62/39/51/+6/0.00/0.0/600/99 23 WSW AERO 24 MPH SW RMY 25
11/8 68/49/59/+15/0.00/0.0/580/96 20 W AERO 21 MPH W RMY N/A
11/9 68/50/59/+15/0.00/0.0/584/97 22 S AERO 23 MPH S RMY 23
11/10 60/53/57/+13/1.12/0.0/000/00 22 WNW AERO 22 MPH WNW RMY N/A
11/11 55/37/46/+3/T/0.0/358/60 41 W AERO 44 MPH W RMY 45
11/12 52/34/43/0/0.00/0.0/524/88 35 SSW AERO 38 MPH SSW RMY 38
11/13 62/43/53/+10/0.00/0.0/243/41 36 S AERO 37 MPH S RMY 38
11/14 67/52/60/+18/T/0.0/372/63 33 SSW AERO 35 MPH SSW RMY N/A
11/15 66/55/61/+19/T/0.0/053/09 37 SSW AERO 38 MPH SSW RMY 38
11/16 58/52/55/+13/0.84/0.0/000/00 18 S AERO 21 MPH S RMY 21
11/17 53/34/44/+3/0.16/0.0/006/01 31 WNW AERO 31 MPH WNW RMY 32
11/18 43/31/37/-4/0.00/0.0/576/99 32 W AERO 33 MPH W RMY 32
11/19 52/34/43/+2/0.00/0.0/347/60 39 SW AERO 40 MPH SW RMY 42
11/20 64/47/56/+16/0.00/0.0/451/78 39 SW AERO 40 MPH SW RMY 42
11/21 55/34/45/+5/0.00/0.0/305/53 30 WNW AERO 32 MPH WNW RMY N/A
11/22 46/33/40/0/0.11/0.0/356/62 23 ESE AERO 23 MPH ESE RMY N/A
11/23 46/31/39/0/1.46/0.0/000/00 44 E AERO 43 MPH E RMY 43
11/24 44/28/36/-3/0.00/0.0/547/96 23 N AERO 25 MPH N RMY 21
11/25 60/37/49/+10/0.00/0.0/523/92 24 SW AERO 26 MPH SW RMY 26
11/26 62/45/54/+16/0.00/0.0/459/81 21 W AERO 21 MPH WNW RMY 22
11/27 57/43/50/+12/0.00/0.0/186/33 32 SSW AERO 33 MPH SSW RMY 35
11/28 65/51/58/+21/0.00/0.0/164/29 33 SW AERO 36 MPH SW RMY 35
11/29 66/52/59/+22/0.01/0.0/006/01 39 SSE AERO 39 MPH SSE RMY N/A
11/30 63/40/52/+15/0.97/0.0/468/87 50 S AERO 51 MPH S RMY 52
12/1 46/33/40/+4/0.00/0.0/.../.. 29 NW AERO 29 MPH NW RMY 27
12/2 our morning low temp: 31F; the normal low is now 28F
DAILY RECORDS FOR NOVEMBER 2011
11/14 - TIED DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 52F;
ties the record of 52F set in 1951 and 1961.
11/28 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 51F;
surpasses the previous record of 50F set in 1990.
11/29 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMP OF 66F;
surpasses the previous record of 64F set in 1963 and 1990.
11/29 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 52F;
surpasses 49F in
DAILY RECORDS FOR DECEMBER 2011
None so far.
DAILY EXTREMES
Temperature and precipitation records back to 1885, and
wind records back to 1940 (e = estimated):
RECORDS FOR DECEMBER 2
HIGH 61 IN 1998
LOW 3 IN 1890
PRECIP 2.09 INS. IN 1974
SNOWFALL 5.0 INS. IN 1894, 1929
PEAK GUST 89e MPH SSE IN 1942
RECORDS FOR DECEMBER 3
HIGH 67 IN 2009
LOW -1 IN 1890
PRECIP 2.10 INS. IN 1986
SNOWFALL 6.0 INS. IN 1963
PEAK GUST 73e MPH W IN 1942
TODAY'S REPORT PREPARED BY: Sean Fankhauser