University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 17, Jan. 23, 1997
Just the facts: State climatologist releases year-end weather stats

     During 1996, the state of Delaware was much wetter and
slightly cooler than normal, according to state climatologist
Daniel J. Leathers, geography.
     For the year as a whole, the average temperature was 54.1
degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 0.6 degrees Fahrenheit below
the 102-year average. Statewide precipitation averaged 58.75
inches, more than 15 inches above the 102-year mean, making 1996
the third wettest year since 1895.
     Leathers also released the following information:
       * The year began with a very snowy January, highlighted
  by a record 24-hour snowfall that resulted in 22 inches of
  snow recorded on Jan. 7 in Wilmington.  Unusually heavy
  snowfall continued to buffet the state through February, even
  though average monthly temperatures for January and February
  were slightly above normal.
       * The spring season began with temperatures more than
  four degrees Fahrenheit below normal during March. As the
  spring progressed, temperatures moderated, with heavy
  precipitation falling during both April and May. In fact, the
  May statewide precipitation of 6.4 inches was the seventh
  highest total in 102 years.
       * Temperatures during the summer season of June, July and
  August averaged approximately 0.5 degrees below the 102-year
  average. More impressively,  temperatures of 90 degrees
  Fahrenheit or above were only recorded on seven days in
  Wilmington during 1996. The normal number of days with
  temperatures equal to or greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit
  for a year is 20.
       * Precipitation during the summer months was heavy, with
  totals averaging 5 inches greater than normal on a statewide
  average. This made the summer of 1996 the 15th wettest since
  1895.
       * The autumn season continued cool and wet across
  Delaware. Temperatures for the period from September through
  November averaged 2.0 degrees Fahrenheit below the 102-year
  average, making the autumn of 1996 the 13th coolest since
  1895.
       * November temperatures were more than 6.2 degrees
  Fahrenheit below the 102-year average, making it the fourth
  coldest November on record. Average statewide precipitation
  was 1.7 inches above normal during the autumn, keeping the
  soil saturated throughout the season. September was especially
  wet with 171 percent of normal precipitation falling across
  the state-the 10th wettest September total in the last 102
  years.
       * December began the winter season of 1996-97 with warm
  and very wet conditions across the entire state. Temperatures
  during December averaged 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above normal,
  the 11th warmest December in 102 years. The statewide December
  precipitation of 7.3 inches was 203 percent of normal, making
  this month the third wettest December for the state since
  1895.
     The National Weather Service long-lead forecast suggests
that there is no reason to expect substantial temperature or
precipitation anomalies during the period through the end of
March 1997, Leathers said, adding that the best extended estimate
of temperature and precipitation is that they should be near
climatological normals through March.
                                             -Beth Thomas