PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
National Weather Service Taunton MA
955 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2004
It was an exceptionally Cold January across much of Southern New England
If you think January 2004 was exceptionally cold across Southern New England, you are correct. Average temperature readings were amongst the top ten coldest at the four major climatological sites. in addition, January 2004 was much colder in contrast to just two years ago.The polar jet stream was dominant during much of January 2004. a nearly persistent northwest flow of very cold and dry air covered the region during the month. January Monthly melted precipitation totals were well below normal since the airmass was very dry.
The following is a list and ranking of January temperature averages and precipitation totals across Southern New England.
Average temperature in degrees fahrenheit
Jan 2004 Departure rank
Worcester 15.3F -8.3F 2Nd coldest January
Boston 20.7F -8.6F Tied 2nd coldest January
Hartford 18.7F -7.0F Tied 5th coldest January
Providence 21.2F -7.5F 6Th coldest January
Melted precipitation in inches
Jan 2004 Departure rank
Worcester 1.43″ -2.64″ 9Th driest January
Boston 1.01″ -2.91″ 6Th driest January
Hartford 1.47″ -2.37″ 11Th driest January
Providence 1.52″ -2.85″ 9Th driest January
Worcester, official records since 1892
– The January 2004 average temperature of 15.3 degrees made it the second coldest January on record.
– It is the coldest January in 34 years (since January 1970).
– January 1970 Is the coldest January with an average temperature of 14.9 degrees.
– January 2004 Is the coldest month since December 1989 when the average temperature was 15.1 degrees.
– January 2004 Is the fourth coldest month on record behind 14.4 degree average Feb 1934, 14.9 degree average Jan 1970, 15.1 degree average Dec 1989.
Significant January temperature departure since just years ago,
Month/year average temperature departure rank
Jan 2004 15.3 degrees -8.3F 2nd coldest
Jan 2003 17.7 degrees -5.9F tied 7th coldest
Jan 2002 31.8 degrees +8.2F 6th warmest
Net change in January average temperature since 2002 -16.5F.
– January 2004 Was the ninth driest on record with 1.43 inches of precipitation.
– It is the driest January in 15 years (since 1989) when 1.18 inch of melted precipitation was recorded.
– It is the driest month since February 2002 when 1.43 inches was recorded.
Boston, official records since 1872
– The January 2004 average temperature of 20.7 degrees tied January 1893 as the second coldest January on record.
– It is the coldest January in 111 years (since January 1893).
– January 1888 And 1875 are the coldest januarys, both with an average temperature of 20.1 degrees.
– January 2004 Is the coldest month in approximately 70 years (since February 1934) when the average temperature was 17.5 degrees.
– January 2004 Is tied for the fourth coldest month on record with 1893 and behind the following months, 17.5 degree average Feb 1934, 20.1 degree average Jan 1888 and Jan 1875, 20.6 degree average Feb 1885.
Significant January temperature departure since just years ago,
Month/year average temperature departure rank
Jan 2004 20.7 degrees -8.6F tied 2nd coldest
Jan 2003 24.1 degrees -5.2F
Jan 2002 36.8 degrees +7.5F 5th warmest
Net change in January average temperature since 2002 -16.1F.
– January 2004 Was the sixth driest on record with 1.01 inches of precipitation.
– It is the driest January in 15 years (since 1989) when 0.61 inch of melted precipitation was recorded.
– It is the driest month since November 2001 when 0.73 inch was recorded.
Hartford, official records since 1904
– The January 2004 average temperature of 18.7 degrees tied the 5th coldest on record.
– It is the coldest January in 27 years (since January 1977).
– Other colder januarys include 16.8 degrees in 1970, 16.9 degrees in 1961, 17.4 degrees in 1918, 17.8 degrees in 1981, (tied) 18.7 degrees in 1977.
– January 1970 Is the coldest January on record with an average temperature of 16.8 degrees.
– January 2004 Is the coldest month in approximately 14 years (since December 1989) when the average temperature was 18.1 degrees.
– January 2004 Is tied for the eighth coldest month on record behind 16.5 degrees Feb 1934, 16.8 degrees Jan 1970, 16.9 degrees Jan 1961, 17.4 degrees Jan 1918, 18.0 degrees Feb 1979, 18.1 degrees Dec 1989, (tied) 18.7 degrees Jan 1977.
Significant January temperature departure since just years ago,
Month/year average temperature departure rank
Jan 2004 18.7 degrees -7.0F tied 5th coldest
Jan 2003 20.9 degrees -4.7F
Jan 2002 33.9 degrees +8.2F 8th warmest
Net change in January average temperature since 2002 -14.2F.
– January 2004 Was the eleventh driest on record with 1.47 inches of precipitation.
– It is the driest January since just last year when 1.26 inches of melted precipitation was recorded.
– It is the driest month since January 2003 when 1.26 inches was recorded.
Providence, official records since 1904
– The January 2004 average temperature of 21.2 degrees is the sixth coldest on record.
– It is the coldest January in 23 years (since January 1981).
– Other colder januarys include 19.6 degrees in 1970, 20.3 degrees in 1981 and 1918, 20.7 degrees in 1912, 20.8 degrees in 1920, 20.9 degrees in 1977.
– January 1970 Is the coldest January with an average temperature of 19.6 degrees.
– January 2004 Is the coldest month in 23 years (since January 1981) when the average temperature was 20.3 degrees.
– January 2004 Is the eighth coldest month on record behind 17.4 degrees Feb 1934, 19.6 degrees Jan 1970, 19.7 degrees Feb 1979, 20.3 degrees Jan 1981 and Jan 1918, 20.7 degrees Jan 1912, 20.8 degrees Jan 1920, 20.9 degrees Jan 1977.
Significant January temperature departure since just years ago,
Month/year average temperature departure rank
Jan 2004 21.2 degrees -7.5F 6th coldest
Jan 2003 25.1 degrees -3.6F
Jan 2002 35.2 degrees +6.5F tied 8th warmest
Net change in January average temperature since 2002 -14.0F.
– January 2004 Was the ninth driest on record with 1.52 inches of precipitation.
– It is the driest January in 15 years (since 1989) when 1.17 inches of melted precipitation was recorded.
– It is the driest month since July 2002 when 0.39 inch was recorded.
Strauss