EASTON MASSACHUSETTS NOTES AND WEATHER SUMMARY FOR APRIL 1996 Prepared By Josh Nichols As April closes, Easton residents can now reflect back on some of the most finicky weather in memory for this classic changeable month. From blowing snow to baking sunshine, April's weather attractions were numerous. In summary, the month of April 1996 was much wetter and cloudier than normal with a great frequency in precipitation. The total of 5.90" was 2.03" above normal for the month and was also the wettest April since 1993. It should be noted that in 12 years of record, April 1987 was the wettest in town with 8.59," while the second wettest April measured out at 6.10" as recently as 1993. After temperatures during the first half of the month averaged as much as four degrees cooler than normal, the end of the month showed a remarkable upward surge in the mercury causing our departures to actually yield a month which overall was slightly warmer than normal. With the books closing on April, May's outlook is always much brighter. The typical May is marked by a rarity of winter weather and is truly the month that typifies Springtime in New England. However, to anyone who experienced the winter which lasted until only a few weeks ago, the thought that this May could not be anomalous is hard to comprehend. May 9th and 10th of 1977 support these thoughts when as much as 10-20" of damaging snow fell in the north and western suburbs of Massachusetts. Knowing the history of this winter, perhaps 124.0" of snowfall is not the final total for the season; many though I'm sure would be content with that total remaining where it is. :-) The total snowfall for the month of 15.5" is absolutely unprecedented for April in the Metro South of Boston not only for just the amount of snow that fell, but also for the short span of time that these snowstorms occurred. Both of these winter storms were separated barely by 24 hours with the first onslaught occurring on the 8th and the second and final event occurring late on the 9th into the 10th. It was even more ironic to note that April would yield the most difficult snowstorm of the entire winter as this snow was characteristically wet and hard to remove. The result: Widespread power outages due to line damage along with tree damage as well. What a finale to the winter season! Winter returned with one last blast and a great show that included thundersnow at 10 PM on the 9th and the lowest CENTRAL barometric pressure for any snowstorm during the entire winter season (ACK checked in with about 29.14"). The final tally gave Easton an amazing record total of 124.0" of snow for the season; a record that will likely stand for many years. In modern areal weather records going back 90 years, the Easton area has never seen so much snowfall for this typical Spring month. As a matter of fact, according to the records at Blue Hill Observatory which reach back to 1885, it can be safely said that we would have to go back to 1894 to find an April that was similar in such a winter display. In that month, 21.5" of snow fell for the month at the Observatory in two closely separated snowstorms (two days); very similar to April 1996 but actually this month was more impressive. I will always carry the memories of the sever 1995-1996 Winter. It was certainly one that demanded a great deal of attention from all observers as well as citizens. It will certainly be a winter to never forget; the stuff that memories are made of to last in the minds of future generations EASTON MASSACHUSETTS NORTHEAST BRISTOL COUNTY CLIMATOLOGICAL REPORT SUMMARY FOR APRIL 1996 TEMPERATURES (°F) Highest 80 21st, 23rd Lowest 29 3rd Highest Min 54 21st, 26th Lowest Max 37 10th Average Max 57.3 Average Min 38.9 Mean for April: 48.1 PRECIPITATION Total for the month: 5.90" Departure from Normal: +2.03" Total for the Year: 19.87" Departure for the Year to Date: +4.21" Greatest Amount in 24 hr Observational Day: 1.45" 10th Days with Measurable: 15 Total Snowfall: 15.5" Greatest Amount in 24 hours: 9.0" 10th Yearly Snowfall: 93.6" Seasonal Snowfall: 124.0" Snow Depth Days (SDD's) 8 Seasonal SDD's 685 1993-1994 winter in Comparsion: 547 WIND Peak Wind Gust at Oliver Ames High School in North Easton 45 MPH from the SW @ 1514 on the 26th BAROMETRIC PRESSURE Lowest was 29.28" on the 10th Highest was 30.32" on the 29th WEATHER Days with FOG 2 Days with THUNDER 1 DEGREE DAYS Total Heating 507 Total for the Season 5952 Total Cooling 4 Seasonal Cooling 4 Josh Nichols Easton, MA weather observer 75613.1534@compuserve.com Weather Hotline508-230-2590 Lyndon State Freshman Class '96-97 --