BLUE HILL METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY
MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS
ELEVATION 635 FEET, 10 MILES SSW OF BOSTON, MA
 
DAILY DISCUSSION AND CLIMATE SUMMARY
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 
ALL TIMES ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME
 
RAIN/SNOW MIX EARLY THIS MORNING WITH NO ACCUMULATION, BUT 0.16 INCH PRECIP
THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLIZZARD OF 1997
 
Low pressure system that passed over the Observatory today provided about
three hours of intermittent rain/snow mix, with no accumulation. However,
0.16 inch of precipitation was measured today following the storm's departure.
Today has been slightly cooler than average, with temperatures being in the
mid to upper 30's most of the day. Visibility has been down to between 15-30
miles due to distant precipitation and fog. Beginning early this afternoon,
the fog finally lifted bumping visibility up to about 40 miles. Overcast to
broken skies will remain for most of the day, however there is some clearing
behind it before our next low pressure moves through late tomorrow.
 
It will be a close call with regards to setting a new record for the
warmest March on record.  We have a certain lock on the warmest January
through March, and on the driest January through March on record.
 
This weekend will mark the 15th anniversary of the infamous Blizzard
of 1997.  Precipitation began as rain on the morning of March 31, 1997,
and transitioned to snow by early that afternoon as temperatures dropped
from the lower 40s into the lower 30s.  Heavy snow, blizzard conditions,
and occasional thunder developed by evening and lasted through the morning
of April 1st.  The peak wind gust reached 62 mph from the NE late on the
31st.  The total snowfall reached an incredible 30.0 inches on the
summit!  Total melted precipitation was 4.11 inches, including some rain
that fell early in the event.  The snow was quite damaging due to its
heavy and wet nature.  The snow had a relatively high water content with
an overall snow to liquid ratio of about 1:7 or 1:8 for the event.
 
The average temperature for March through the 30th is 43.6 deg F.
March 2012 will be at least 2nd warmest on record.
 
BHO Warmest March, 1885-2011 (deg F)
1) 43.5 in 1946
2) 42.7 in 1945
3) 42.2 in 1903
4) 41.5 in 2010
5) 41.2 in 1921
 
January-March 2012 will finish as the warmest start to any year on record.
The average temperature from January 1st through March 30th is 36.4F.
 
BHO Warmest January-March, 1886-2011 (deg F)
1) 35.0 in 2002
2) 34.7 in 1998
3) 33.9 in 1990
4) 33.2 in 1953
5) 33.0 in 2006
 
The total precipitation since January 1st through March 30th is 6.00
inches.  With little precipitation in the forecast over the next day,
January-March 2012 will set a new record for driest start to the year.
 
BHO Driest January-March, 1886-2011 (inches)
1) 7.20 in 1947
2) 7.39 in 1985
3) 7.92 in 1894
4) 7.97 in 2004
5) 8.08 in 1895
 
Today's observations:
 
7 A.M.
Weather: Light rain/snow mix with fog, broken nimbostratus, overcast
nimbostratus
Temperature: 35F, Dew point: 34F, Wind: ENE at 8 kts
Sea-level pressure: 29.98 inches Hg, falling
Visibility: 15 miles, NNW-NE 10 miles, fog
6-hour snowfall: Trace
24-hour snowfall: Trace
6-hour precip: 0.07 inch
24-hour precip: 0.07 inch
6-hour min. temp: 35F
BHO SA 1155 E15 BKN 25 OVC 15R-S-F 154/35/34/0608/998/ VSBY LWR NNW-NE 10 SNW
WET/ 8/7// 56007 MANUAL 60007 ASOS 60006 MANUAL 70007 ASOS 70006 10039 20035
 
10 A.M.
Weather: Light drizzle with fog, broken nimbostratus, overcast nimbostratus,
stratus fractus drifting below summit
Temperature: 37F, Dew Point: 36F; Wind: NE at 6 kts
Sea-level pressure: 29.98 inches Hg, falling
Visibility: 25 miles, SE-SW 30 miles, fog
3-hour snowfall: Trace
3-hour precip: 0.09 inch
BHO SA 1455 E15 BKN 25 OVC 25L-F 154/37/36/0406/998/ STFRA DRFTG BLO SMT VSBY
HIER SE-SW 30/ 8/7// 58000 MANUAL 60009 ASOS 60010 
 
1 P.M.
Weather: Broken stratus fractus, overcast nimbostratus, break in overcast
overhead with higher clouds visible, sun becoming visible, light distant haze
Temperature: 40F, Dew Point: 36F; Wind: NE at 9 kts,
Wind: Direction variable NNE-ESE
Sea-level pressure: 29.93 inches Hg, falling 
Visibility: 40 miles, light distant haze  
6-hour max. temp: 40F
6-hour precip: 0.09 inch
BHO SA 1755 E15 BKN 20 OVC 40 136/40/36/0609/993/ BINOVC OVD HIER CLDS VSBL
SUN BCMNG VSBL LGT DSNT HZ WND 03V10/ 8/7// 58018 MANUAL 60009 ASOS 60010
10040 20035
 
WEATHER SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 30
 
TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
MAX.....50    NORMAL.....49
MIN.....32    NORMAL.....31
MEAN....41    NORMAL.....40
 
DEPARTURE FROM 30-YEAR NORMAL.......................+1
TOTAL DEPARTURE FOR THE MONTH.....................+288 [+9.4 DEGREES/DAY]
 
HEATING DEGREE DAYS
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR YESTERDAY..............24   DEPARTURE...........0
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE MONTH.............607   DEPARTURE........-263
TOTAL HEATING UNITS FOR THE SEASON...........4258   DEPARTURE.......-1182
TOTAL HEATING UNITS LAST SEASON TO DATE......5371   DEPARTURE.......-1113
 
PEAK GUST AND AVERAGE WIND SPEED (MPH)
PEAK WIND GUST FOR YESTERDAY.............35 NW  AT  10:12 A.M.
                   AERO..................37 NW  AT  10:12 A.M.
                   ASOS..................36 NW  AT  10:12 A.M.
                   DAVIS.................33 NW  AT  10:11 A.M.
THE FASTEST MILE FOR YESTERDAY...........26 W   AT   9:20 A.M.
MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE ASOS AVERAGE............25 NW  AT   9:19 A.M. 
DAVIS MAXIMUM 2-MINUTE AVERAGE...........25 NW  AT   9:19 A.M. 
AVERAGE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION.......10.7 NW
                   ASOS.................8.8
                   DAVIS................9.6 NW [313 deg.]
 
 
PRECIPITATION (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL PRECIPITATION 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M....0.07   DEPARTURE..........-0.10
                         ASOS..............0.06
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH..........1.73   DEPARTURE..........-3.67
                         ASOS..............1.72
TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE YEAR...........6.00   DEPARTURE..........-7.82
                         ASOS..............6.05
     
SNOWFALL (INCHES) THROUGH THIS MORNING (EST)
TOTAL SNOWFALL 24 HRS ENDING 7 A.M..........Trace  DEPARTURE..........-0.2
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE MONTH................4.0    DEPARTURE..........-7.3
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON..............24.2    DEPARTURE.........-32.5
 
PRELIMINARY CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MARCH 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
 
3/1  34/22/28/-3/1.05/3.3/000/00    40 ENE AERO 44 MPH ENE RMY 42
3/2  30/21/26/-5/0.01/0.1/000/00    23 ESE AERO 25 MPH ESE RMY 26
3/3  44/30/37/+5/0.35/0.6/000/00    27 W   AERO 29 MPH SW  RMY 28
3/4  39/30/35/+3/0.00/0.0/082/12    28 W   AERO 28 MPH W   RMY 28
3/5  35/22/29/-3/0.00/0.0/651/95    33 W   AERO 35 MPH W   RMY 35
3/6  37/16/27/-5/0.00/0.0/674/98    28 NW  AERO 28 MPH NW  RMY N/A
3/7  50/29/45/+12/0.00/0.0/608/88   40 SSW AERO 43 MPH SSW RMY 43
3/8  66/48/57/+24/0.00/0.0/499/72   59 SSW AERO 61 MPH SSW RMY N/A
3/9  57/31/44/+11/0.05/T/279/40     62 SSW AERO 63 MPH SSW RMY N/A
3/10 37/27/32/-1/T/T/168/24         32 WNW AERO 33 MPH WNW RMY N/A
3/11 56/27/42/+8/0.00/0.0/681/97    35 SW  AERO 37 MPH SW  RMY 36
3/12 72/40/56/+22/0.00/0.0/620/88   23 SW  AERO 25 MPH SW  RMY N/A
3/13 68/46/57/+23/0.08/0.0/347/49   30 SSW AERO 31 MPH SSW RMY 31
3/14 51/36/44/+9/T/0.0/007/01       23 NE  AERO 23 MPH ENE RMY 22
3/15 42/33/38/+3/T/0.0/014/02       16 ENE AERO 15 MPH E   RMY 15
3/16 43/32/38/+3/0.05/0.0/000/00    16 NNW AERO 16 MPH NNW RMY 17
3/17 51/40/46/+10/0.00/0.0/079/11   21 SSW AERO N/A        RMY 24
3/18 72/38/55/+19/0.00/0.0/652/91   27 SW  AERO 27 MPH SW  RMY 27
3/19 77/44/61/+25/0.00/0.0/667/92   24 NE  AERO 24 MPH NE  RMY 25
3/20 78/41/60/+23/0.00/0.0/662/91   22 SSW AERO 22 MPH SW  RMY 25
3/21 76/54/65/+28/0.00/0.0/556/76   25 SW  AERO 26 MPH SW  RMY 27
3/22 81/54/68/+31/0.00/0.0/668/91   22 SW  AERO 21 MPH SW  RMY 22
3/23 75/56/66/+28/T/0.0/509/69      31 NNW AERO 31 MPH NNW RMY 33
3/24 56/44/50/+12/0.00/0.0/052/07   22 E   AERO 20 MPH E   RMY 17
3/25 47/40/44/+6/0.02/0.0/000/00    17 ESE AERO 16 MPH ESE RMY N/A
3/26 45/29/37/-2/T/0.0/477/64       47 NW  AERO 48 MPH NW  RMY 47
3/27 47/24/36/-3/0.00/0.0/718/96    40 NW  AERO 39 MPH NW  RMY 39
3/28 48/33/41/+2/0.05/0.0/038/05    30 S   AERO 31 MPH S   RMY 30
3/29 47/36/42/+2/T/0.0/.../..       31 NNW AERO 33 MPH NNW RMY 34
3/30 50/32/41/+1/0.07/T/.../..      35 NW  AERO 37 MPH NW  RMY 35
 
3/31  morning low temp: 35F; the normal low is now 31F
 
DAILY RECORDS FOR MARCH 2012
3/8  - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 48F;
surpasses the previous record of 42F set in 1995 and 2009.
3/8  - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMP OF 66F;
surpasses the previous record of 63F set in 1942 and 1995.
3/12 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMP OF 72F;
surpasses the previous record of 67F set in 1977.
3/12 - NEW EARLY SEASON RECORD (NESR) HIGH TEMPERATURE of 72F;
surpasses the previous record of 71F set on 3/9/2000.
3/18 – NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMP OF 72F;
surpasses the previous record of 69F set in 2011.
3/19 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMP OF 77F;
surpasses the previous record of 70 in 2010.
3/21 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 54F;
surpasses the previous record of 51F in 1913 and 1921.
3/22 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 54F;
surpasses the previous record of 45F in 1902.
3/22 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MAXIMUM TEMP OF 81F;
surpasses the previous record of 71F in 1948.
3/23 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 56F;
surpasses the previous record of 49F in 1949.
3/23 - NEW EARLY SEASON RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE of 56F;
surpasses the previous record of 55F set on 3/17/1990
3/24 - NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMP OF 44F;
surpasses the previous record of 42F in 1908.
 
DAILY EXTREMES
Temperature and precipitation records back to 1885, and
wind records back to 1940 (e = estimated):
 
RECORDS FOR MARCH 31
HIGH 89 IN 1998  [RECORD HIGH FOR MONTH]
LOW 16 IN 1923
PRECIP 2.89 IN 1987
SNOWFALL 15.0 IN 1997
PEAK GUST 81 MPH SSE IN 1987
 
RECORDS FOR APRIL 1
HIGH 74 IN 1967
LOW 6 IN 1923 [RECORD FOR MONTH]
PRECIP 3.47 IN. IN 2004 [RECORD FOR MONTH]
SNOWFALL 15.0 IN. IN 1997 [RECORD FOR MONTH]
PEAK GUST 75 MPH SSW IN 1962
 
TODAY'S REPORT PREPARED BY: George Tabeek