BLUE HILL METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY
MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS
ELEVATION 635 FEET, 10 MILES SSW OF BOSTON, MA
 
DAILY DISCUSSION AND CLIMATE SUMMARY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 LEAP DAY
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME
 
SNOW BEGAN CLOSE TO 12 NOON TODAY AFTER CLOUDY MORNING
SNOW MELTED AS IT FELL BETWEEN NOON AND 1 P.M.
ACCUMULATING SNOW BEGAN AT 1:15 P.M. WITH 0.1 INCH MEASURED
TODAY MAY MARK 16TH CONSECUTIVE DAY WITH ABOVE NORMAL TEMPS.
 
The sun was seen only dimly through the thickening cloud
cover this morning and therefore there will be no sunshine
recorded for today. The light snow began just before noon
and melted as it fell until the first tenth of an inch
accumulated by 1:15 P.M. Temperatures which reached a high
of 35F this morning fell back rather quickly after the snow
began to 32F at 1 P.M. and 31F by 1:20 P.M. We'll soon be
losing our high ranking for least snowfall during any
February. An inch of snow today means 1.7 for the month
as we drop below 5th place in least snowfall for any
February.  We hope to have an observer at midnight to measure
and determine exactly how much snow falls today, the last
day of February and of meteorological winter.
 
 
The total snowfall for February of 0.7 inch will be among the lowest
totals ever recorded for the month.
 
Least Snowy Februarys, inches, 1885-2011
1) 0.4 in 1937
2) 0.6 in 1984
3) 1.0 in 1925
   1.0 in 1998
5) 1.5 in 1941
 
 
The total snowfall for the winter season (Dec-Feb) so far
of 8.7 inches is also one of the lowest totals on record.
 
Least Snowy Winters (Dec-Feb), inches, 1885-2011
1)  3.3 in 1936-1937
2) 12.0 in 1888-1889
3) 13.6 in 1991-1992
4) 13.8 in 1979-1980
5) 13.9 in 2006-2007
 
 
This has also been a very dry month with a total of only
0.70 inch of precipitation.  This may also finish among
the driest Februarys on record.  
 
Driest Februarys, inches, 1886-2011
1) 0.71 in 1987
2) 1.04 in 1901
3) 1.07 in 1980
4) 1.12 in 1895
5) 1.58 in 1947
 
 
February has also been extremely warm, and this month
will also likely finish among the warmest Februarys
on record. The corrected mean temperature for this month
through the 28th is 34.4 deg F. Looks like it will
be our 2nd warmest February.
 
Warmest Februarys, deg F, 1885-2011
1) 34.9 in 1984
2) 34.0 in 1998
3) 33.9 in 1954
   33.9 in 1981
5) 33.7 in 1976
 
 
The winter season (Dec-Feb) may rank among the warmest on record,
which are listed below.  The winter mean temperature for the
2011-12 season through February 27th is 34.4 degrees F. Looks like
it will be our 2nd warmest winter.  
 
Warmest Winters (Dec-Feb), deg F, 1885-2011
1) 34.8 in 2001-2002
2) 32.6 in 1997-1998
3) 32.3 in 1936-1937
   32.3 in 1998-1999
5) 32.2 in 1932-1933
 
 
The November through February mean temperature is also very warm
and the mean for this season for November 1st through February 28th
is 37.8 degrees, which is now just over the warmest on record set
in 2001-2002. 
 
Warmest Nov-Feb, deg F, 1885-2011
1) 37.6 in 2001-2002
2) 35.4 in 1948-1949
3) 35.1 in 1990-1991
4) 34.8 in 1953-1954
   34.8 in 2006-2007
 
Today's observations:
 
7 A.M. 
Weather: Broken altostratus/altocumulus, overcast dense cirru/cirrostratus,
few lower altocumulus lenticularis, thin spots in the overcast,
parahelion (sun dog) left of sun to east 
Temperature: 30F, Dew point: 14F, Wind: ENE at 2 kts (speed estimated),
Wind: Light
Sea-level pressure: 30.35 inches Hg, falling then rising
Visibility: 30 miles, except 25 miles W-N and 50 miles SE-S, smoke layer
extending SW-NW-NNE along horizon, distant haze mostly W-N
6-hour min. temp: 28F
BHO SA 1155 E75 BKN 220 OVC 30 276/30/XX/E0602/035/ FEW LWR AC/ACSL
OVC PTLY THN PARAHELION E VSBY W-N 25 SE-S 50 K LYR XTDNG SW-NW-NNE
DSNT HZ MSTLY W-N WND LGT/ 8/077 55005
10030 20028
 
10 A.M.
Weather: Overcast altostratus translucidus, sun dimly visible,
bright spots in overcast distant SE-S 
Temperature: 34F, Dew Point: 15F; Wind: E at 4 kts,
Sea-level pressure: 30.32 inches Hg, falling
Visibility: 40 miles, except 30 miles NE-SE, 50 miles W-NW
BHO SA 1455 E65 OVC 40 268/34/15/1004/032/ SUN DMLY VSB
BRGHT SPTS IOVC DSNT SE-S VSBY NE-SE 30 W-NW 50 LGT DSNT HZ/
8/01/ 56008 
 
1 P.M.
Weather: Obscured sky with light snow  
Temperature: 32F, Dew Point: 28F; Wind: E at 4 kts,
Wind: Light
Sea-level pressure: 30.27 inches Hg, falling 
Visibility: 1.5 miles, lowering    
BHO SA 1755 W10 X 11/2S- 249/32/28/0804/027/ VSBY LWRG PST HR
SNW MELTING AS IT FALLS/ 8//// 58019 MANUAL 6000/ ASOS 6000
10035 20030
 
WEATHER SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
 
TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
MAX.....47    NORMAL.....40
MIN.....30    NORMAL.....22
MEAN....39    NORMAL.....31
 
DEPARTURE FROM 30-YEAR NORMAL......................+8
TOTAL DEPARTURE FOR THE MONTH....................+198 [+6.9 DEGREES/DAY]
 
HEATING DEGREE DAYS
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR YESTERDAY..............28   DEPARTURE..........-6
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE MONTH.............837   DEPARTURE........-197
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE SEASON...........3618   DEPARTURE........-952
TOTAL HEATING UNITS LAST SEASON TO DATE......4522   DIFFERENCE.......-904
 
PEAK GUST AND AVERAGE WIND SPEED (MPH)
PEAK WIND GUST FOR YESTERDAY.............42 WNW AT  2:12 A.M.
                   AERO..................43 WNW AT  2:12 A.M.
                   ASOS..................40 WNW AT  2:12 A.M.
                   DAVIS.................42 NW  AT  2:11 A.M. RMY N/A
THE FASTEST MILE FOR YESTERDAY...........26 WNW AT  8:55 A.M. *
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE ASOS AVERAGE............26 WNW AT  8:46 A.M.
DAVIS MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE AVERAGE...........27 WNW AT  2:12 A.M.
AVERAGE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION.......
                   ASOS................13.6
                   DAVIS...............12.7 WNW [300 deg]
 
* last of several occurrences..
 
PRECIPITATION (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL PRECIPITATION 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M....0.00   DEPARTURE..........-0.17
                         ASOS..............0.00
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH..........0.70   DEPARTURE..........-3.37
                         ASOS..............0.73
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE YEAR...........3.89   DEPARTURE..........-4.53
                        ASOS...............3.97
     
SNOWFALL (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL SNOWFALL 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M..........0.0    DEPARTURE..........-0.5
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE MONTH................0.7    DEPARTURE.........-15.3
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON..............17.2    DEPARTURE.........-28.2
 
PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY 2012 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:  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
 
2/1  58/31/45/+19/T/0.0/174/29      39 WNW AERO 40 MPH WNW RMY 41
2/2  40/28/34/+8/T/0.0/000/00       25 WNW AERO 25 MPH WNW RMY N/A
2/3  37/22/30/+4/0.00/0.0/574/95    28 NW  AERO 28 MPH NW  RMY 29
2/4  43/24/34/+8/0.00/0.0/498/82    28 WNW AERO 31 MPH WNW RMY 30
2/5  34/18/26/0/0.00/0.0/597/98     18 W   AERO 17 MPH W   RMY N/A
2/6  49/24/37/+11/0.00/0.0/599/98   33 WSW AERO 32 MPH WSW RMY 34
2/7  43/27/35/+8/0.00/0.0/596/97    24 NNW AERO 28 MPH NNW RMY 24
2/8  37/17/27/0/0.00/0.0/388/63     22 N   AERO 21 MPH N   RMY 24
2/9  45/26/36/+9/0.00/0.0/607/98    21 NW  AERO 21 MPH W   RMY 21
2/10 49/30/40/+13/0.02/0.0/467/75   32 SSW AERO 35 MPH SSW RMY 34
2/11 36/27/32/+5/0.13/0.6/012/02    33 NW  AERO 33 MPH NW  RMY N/A
2/12 28/13/21/-6/0.00/0.0/621/99    46 WNW AERO 48 MPH WNW RMY 50
2/13 40/12/26/-2/0.00/0.0/535/85    43 W   AERO 42 MPH W   RMY 44 
2/14 43/29/36/+8/0.00/0.0/082/13    23 SSW AERO N/A        RMY 23
2/15 43/36/40/+12/T/0.0/000/00      21 SSW AERO 22 MPH SSW RMY N/A  
2/16 45/30/38/+12/0.07/0.0/127/20   24 S   AERO 27 MPH S   RMY N/A
2/17 49/32/41/+13/0.01/0.0/224/35   29 WNW AERO 29 MPH WNW RMY 31
2/18 45/29/37/+8/0.00/0.0/521/81    30 W   AERO 30 MPH W   RMY 31
2/19 44/26/35/+6/0.00/0.0/626/97    23 NW  AERO 22 MPH NW  RMY 23
2/20 39/24/32/+3/0.00/0.0/577/89    37 NNW AERO 37 MPH NNW RMY 37
2/21 42/22/32/+3/T/0.0/469/72       30 S   AERO 30 MPH S   RMY 31
2/22 55/36/46/+17/0.00/0.0/419/64   28 W   AERO 28 MPH W   N/A   
2/23 52/35/44/+14/0.03/0.0/276/42   40 W   AERO 42 MPH W   RMY 39
2/24 39/32/36/+6/0.44/0.1/000/00    37 W   AERO 37 MPH W   RMY 42
2/25 41/29/35/+5/T/T/410/62         61 W   AERO 60 MPH WSW RMY N/A
2/26 40/24/32/+2/0.00/0.0/665/100   44 WNW AERO 44 MPH WNW RMY N/A
2/27 50/24/37/+6/0.00/0.0/467/70    33 S   AERO 35 MPH S   RMY N/A
2/28 47/30/39/+8/0.00/0.0/637/95    42 WNW AERO 43 MPH WNW RMY N/A
 
2/29 our morning low temp: 28F; the normal low is now 22F
 
DAILY RECORDS FOR FEBRUARY 2012
None so far.
 
DAILY EXTREMES
Temperature and precipitation records back to 1885, and
wind records back to 1940 (e = estimated):
 
LEAP YEAR:
RECORDS FOR FEBRUARY 29
HIGH 56F IN 1976
LOW 4F IN 1992
PRECIP 0.64 INCHES IN 1968
SNOWFALL 3.5 INCHES IN 1968
PEAK GUST 60 MPH NE IN 1968
 
RECORDS FOR MARCH 1
HIGH 62 IN 1972
LOW -3 IN 1886
PRECIP 1.65 INS. IN 1900
SNOWFALL 9.4 INS. IN 1949
PEAK GUST 78 WSW IN 1966
 
TODAY'S REPORT PREPARED BY: Robert Skilling