Meteorological annual report for 1996
An analysis of meteorological data collected at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in 1996 shows that overall weather conditions for the year were characterized by below normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. The average temperature for the year, 62.2{degrees}F, was the lowest observed at SRS for the 33 years in which temperature data are available (1964-96). Temperature extremes for 1996 ranged from a minimum of 10{degrees}F on February 5 to a maximum of 100{degrees}F on July 2. Monthly rainfall was near or slightly below average each month except March and August which had considerably above average rainfall. The maximum 24-hour rainfall was 2.47 inches on July 5. Daily rainfall in excess of 2 inches occurred on July 5 and August 25. These rainfall events were associated with slow moving cold fronts. Approximately one inch of, snow was recorded in the SRS area on February 4. The annual average wind speed, based on data collected at the Central Climatology meteorology tower, was about 10% higher than the average for a previous 5-year period (1987-91). The 1996 data also showed a slightly higher frequency of west to southwest winds and a slightly lower frequency of northeast winds than was observed in the earlier 5-year period. A winter storm that formed over Alabama and moved northeastward through east Tennessee March 18-19 produced the most notable period of sustained strong winds. Daily and 15-minute average wind speeds of 16 miles per hour (mph) and 26.6 mph, respectively, were recorded at Central Climatology. The average relative humidity for the year was 69% and the average daily minimum relative humidity, which typically occurs during the afternoon, was 45%. Tropical Storm Josephine moved through eastern portions of Georgia and South Carolina on October 8 producing a total rainfall at SRS of about 1.8 inches.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- OSTI ID:
- 574238
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-TR--97-0214; ON: DE97054125
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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