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Cranberry Weather Summaries Archive

Format: 2024

2008

March

March was much like a lion for the first three weeks and then like a lamb the final week when it came to rainfall this year. On the whole, March was warm; very wet and had above average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 38.5 degrees, 1.3 degrees per day below the average. Maximum temperature was 61.0 degrees on the 8 th and a minimum temperature of 21.0 degrees was recorded on the 3 rd. Daytime high temperatures averaged 47.0 degrees, 1.8 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 30.0 degrees, 0.8 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 52% of the possible sunshine hours, 4 points above the norm. Four days had no sunshine, yet six days had over 95% sunshine. Sunshine data are from the Blue Hill Observatory.

Precipitation totaled 5.26 inches. This is 0.70 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation of 0.10 inches or greater rainfall on eight days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.24 inches on the 7 th and 8 th. We have received 13.61 inches of rainfall year to date, totaling 1.21 inches above average for the year to date in East Wareham. We had only one event with measurable snowfall during the month, totaling 0.1 inches. The 2007 – 2008 winter season snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now at 28.94 inches. This will come in as 2.46 inches below the average snowfall in East Wareham.

February

February was warm, wet, and windy with well below average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 33.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 55.0 degrees on the 18th and a minimum temperature of 12.0 degrees was recorded on the 11 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 41.0 degrees, 2.8 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 25.0 degrees, 3.3 degrees above the norm. There were no single digit temperatures recorded in February, yet the evening lows were below 30 degrees all but 5 nights.

Sunshine totaled 43% of the possible sunshine hours, 7 points below the norm. Sunshine has been well above normal in February for the past 3 years.

Precipitation totaled 5.73 inches. This was 2.01 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation on 10 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.72 inches on the 13 th. There were only 2 days with measurable snowfall totaling 3.5 inches, 6.0 inches below normal. The greatest snowfall for one storm came on the 22 nd with 2.0 inches. Year-to-date snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now 28.84 inches.

The official winter in East Wareham (Dec. 2007 - Feb. 2008) has been very wet and warm. The season temperatures averaged 32.7 degrees, 2.8 degrees above normal. The low mark was 7.0 degrees on Jan. 4 th and the high mark was 55 degrees on Dec. 23 rd and Feb. 18 th. The coldest daily high was a bitter 16.0 degrees on Jan. 3 rd. Sunshine was 42%, 6 points below normal. Precipitation totaled 14.46 inches, 2.16 inches above average. Snowfall totaled 28.84 inches, 3.51 inches above normal.

January

January was warm with below average rain and above average snow. The average temperature was 32.0 degrees, 3.3 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 54 degrees on January 9 th and 11th. A minimum temperature of 7.0 degrees was recorded on the 4th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 40.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 24.0 degrees, 3.7 degrees above the norm. Daytime high temperatures were in the 50’s 6 days and only 3 days had high temperatures below 32 degrees. Evening temperatures were below 32 degrees for 23 nights. Only 2 nights had temperatures in the single digits.

Precipitation totaled 2.62 inches. This is 1.96 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 9 days; 3 of those days had less than 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.05 inches on the 11th. We only had measurable snowfall of 0.10 inches or greater on 4 days of the month totaling 13.00 inches, 2.8 inches above average. The largest 24-hour snowfall was 11.0 inches on the 28th of January.

Sunshine totaled 47% of the possible sunshine hours, 1 point above the normal and 2 points below last January.

2007

Year in Review

The year 2007 was warm with below average rainfall and above average sunshine. Temperatures averaged 50.3 degrees, 2.2 degrees above the 30-year average in East Wareham . The average monthly temperature was above normal for 7 out of 12 months of the year. The maximum temperature for the year was recorded in May 25 th at 91 degrees. The minimum temperature of 4.0 degrees was recorded in January 26 th. January was warm with very little snowfall. February was very sunny, much like 2005 and 2006. April had a 4-day Nor’easter that yielded 3.78 inches of rain and winds up to 77 mph.

The official winter of 2006 - 2007 was above average in temperature with above average sunshine and below average rainfall. Snowfall for the winter of 2006 - 2007 in East Wareham was 10.72 inches; this was the 6 th lowest snowfall recorded here in East Wareham . The record was set in 1997 when only 5.07 inches of snow fell. The official spring 2007 had averages above normal in temperatures, rainfall and sunshine hours. The official summer of 2007 was just about average in temperature with above-average sunshine and extraordinarily dry in June and August. This was the 6 th driest August in the 81 years of record keeping in East Wareham . The official fall season for 2007 was mild, dry and sunny. We had the 3 rd warmest October on record with an average of 57.5 degrees, surpassed only by 57.8 degrees in 1971, and 58.0 degrees in 1990

By the year’s end, precipitation totaled 45.88 inches, 1.42 inches below normal. April was the wettest month with 8.13 inches of rainfall. The driest month was August with 1.10 inches of rain. December gave us the most snowfall in 2007, with 12.5 inches in just 4 storms. This set a new record for highest daily total snowfall in December, surpassing 1987, which recorded 8.0 inches.

Sunshine hours for the year totaled 56%. There were only three months with low sunshine hours and nine months with above sunshine hours. September was the sunniest month, at 74% and April had the lowest sunshine at 40%.

Overall, we started the 2007 year very warm and dry with below-average snowfall. After the rain that fell in April, the weather was characterized by being warm, sunny and extremely dry until December. The year ended with lots of clouds, very wet conditions and well above average snowfall.

December

December was warm, very wet, cloudy and snowy. The temperature averaged 33.0 degrees, 0.4 degrees per day above normal. Maximum temperature was 55.0 degrees on the 23 rd ; a minimum temperature of 13.0 degrees was recorded on the 18 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 41.0 degrees, 1.0 degrees above the norm. This is 5.6 degrees cooler than December 2006. Evening temperatures averaged 25.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees above the norm.

Precipitation totaled 6.11 inches, 1.81 inches above normal. We had 17 rain events spread out evenly during the month. Measurable rain of 0.10 or more was recorded on 14 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.52 inches on the 16 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 was 45.88 inches, 1.42 inches below average for East Wareham . We also had 4 days with measurable snow, totaling 12.5 inches for the month, and 7.7 inches above normal. The largest snowfall was on December 14 th with 8.6 inches. This set a new record for the highest daily total snowfall in December, surpassing the 1987 record of 8.0.

Sunshine for the month totaled 35% of possible, 11 points below normal.

November

November was a cold, sunny and wet month. The temperature averaged 42.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below normal and 6.0 degrees cooler than 2006. Maximum temperature was 67.0 degrees on the 1 st, a minimum temperature of 21.0 degrees was recorded on the 24 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 51.0 degrees, 0.4 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 33.2 degrees, 1.8 degrees below the norm.

Precipitation totaled 4.94 inches, 0.54 inches above normal. We had 9 rain events spread out evenly during the month. Measurable rain, of 0.10 inches or more, was recorded on 9 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.06 inches on the 3 rd. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 is 39.77 inches, 12.08 inches below November 2006 year-to-date and 3.23 inches above the average for East Wareham . Snowfall for the month of November in East Wareham averaged only a trace accruing on Nov. 19 th. Average snowfall for November here in East Wareham is 1.2 inches.

Sunshine totaled 50% of the possible, 2 points above average. There were 2 days with 98% sunshine.

The official fall season Sept – Nov. 2007 was very dry, mild and sunny. Temperatures averaged 54.5 degrees, 1.7 degrees above normal. A maximum temperature of 81 degrees was reached on the 3 rd and the 8 th of September and a low of 21 degrees was reached on the 24 th of November. Rainfall totaled 9.52 inches, 2.95 inches below normal. Average snowfall for the fall season for East Wareham is 1.2 inches; we have not received any measurable snow this season. Sunshine was just 6 points above normal.

Personnel

Dr. Peter Jeranyama travel to New Orleans , LA on November 4 th – 7 th to attend the Centennial Conference of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science and Soil Science. He also participated in the multi-state irrigation research proposal development working group. Dr. Frank Caruso travel to Concord , NH on November 12 th – 13 th to attend the New Hampshire Division of Pesticide Control Seminar as their quest speaker.

October

October had very mild temperatures, a little below average sunshine and rainfall. The temperature averaged 57.5 degrees, 5.2 degrees per day above normal and 5.3 degrees above last year. Maximum temperature was 80.0 degrees on the 4 th; a minimum temperature of 30.0 degrees was recorded on the 25 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 66.4 degrees, 5.1 degrees above the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 48.6 degrees, 5.3 degrees above the norm. This was the 3 rd warmest October in the 81 years of records keeping in East Wareham . Surpassed only by 57.8 degrees in 1971 and 58.0 degrees in 1990.

Sunshine totaled 53% of the possible sunshine hours, 2 points below the norm. We had 6 mostly clear days and 5 day with morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 3.26 inches, 0.63 inches below the 30-year average. Measurable rain was recorded on 12 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.07 inches on the 19 th - 20 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 is 34.83 inches, 3.77 inches below the 30-year average for East Wareham and 10.79 inches below 2006. There was no reported snowfall in Southeast New England this month.

Personnel

Dr. Carolyn DeMoranville, Dr. Frank Caruso, Dr. Hilary Sandler, and Dr. Peter Jeranyama traveled to Egg Harbor City , NJ from Sept 30 th - October 3 rd to attend the North American Cranberry Research & Extension Workers Meeting and present papers. Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Cape May , NJ October 10 th - 12 th to attend the Northeast Division Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society. Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Nashville , TN October 15 th - 18 th to attend the IR-4 meeting for State Liaisons.

September

September was warm, extremely dry and sunny. The temperature averaged 64.3 degrees, 1.3 degrees per day above normal. Maximum temperature was 81.0 degrees on the 3rd and the 8th; a minimum temperature of 42.0 degrees was recorded on the 17th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 73.4 degrees, 2.0 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 55.1 degrees, 0.6 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 74% of the possible sunshine hours, 18 points above the norm. We had 18 mostly clear days, of which 7 days had 97% or better sunshine. Only 3 days had no sunshine. There were 2 days with morning fog and also 2 days with very heavy evening fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 1.32 inches, 2.74 inches below normal. This was the driest September in the past 20 years. There were only 3 rain events. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.80 inches on the 11th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 is 31.57 inches, 3.23 inches below average for East Wareham and 9.38 inches below 2006 total rainfall at the same time last year. The total rainfall for the past two mouths (August and September) was 2.42 inches. This is the second driest two-month total for this period in the 81 years of records in East Wareham , surpassed only by 1.87 inches in 1948.

August

August had average temperatures with lots of sunshine, it was extremely dry. The temperature averaged 70.8 degrees, 0.1 degrees per day above normal. Maximum temperature was 89.0 degrees on the 26 th and a minimum temperature of 48.0 degrees was recorded on the 19 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 80.6 degrees, 1.0 degrees above last year and 2.2 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 61.3 degrees, 1.3 degrees warmer than last year and 1.6 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 65% of the possible sunshine hours, 7 points above the norm. We had 12 mostly clear days, 15 partly cloudy days, and 4 cloudy days. We also had morning fog on 2 days in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 1.10 inches, 2.80 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 6 days, and of those 6 days, only 2 had measurable rainfall of 0.10 inches or better. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.52 inches on the 13 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 is 30.25 inches, 5.81 inches below last year at this time and 0.65 inches below the average year to date for East Wareham . In the last 17 days of August there was only 0.08 inches of rainfall.

Official Summer Season

The official summer (June, July and August) averaged out at 69.4 degrees, just about average, 0.1 degrees above the average. The summer was extraordinarily dry, 4.0 inches below normal (due to the very dry June and August). Sunshine was 65% of possible, 7 points over the average (due to the very sunny August). We had a maximum temperature of 89 degrees recorded on the August 26 th and a minimum temperature of 45 degrees recorded on June 7 th. Typically, our region averages 4 days of 90 degrees or higher, our only 90+ degree day came back on May 25 th. Rainfall total 6.6 inches for the season. This was the 6 th driest August in the 81 years of record keeping in East Wareham .

2007 Crop Forecast

New England Agricultural Statistics Service gave the United States forecast for the 2007 cranberry crop on August 21 st in East Wareham , MA . This year’s forecast is for the production of 6.90 million barrels, up slightly from 2006 and 11 percent above 2005. Massachusetts ’ cranberry crop is forecasted to reach 1.8 million barrels, down 5 percent from 2006. New Jersey ’s forecast is for 520,000 barrels (up from 2006), Oregon : 500,000 barrels (up from 2006), Washington : 180,000 barrels (up from 2006), and Wisconsin : 3.90 million barrels (down from 2006). The pollination conditions during late June and into the mouth of July were good. Growers experienced an average bloom and set conditions for this year’s crop, and the berry size was rated as medium as of early August. The total crop yield for Massachusetts may be lower due to heavy sanding of bogs this past winter and the number of cranberry acreage taken out of production for bog renovation.

July

July’s weather had normal temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine. The temperature averaged 72.0 degrees, 0.1 degrees above average. Maximum temperature was 87.0 degrees on the 8 th, 17 th, and 29 th and a minimum temperature of 51.0 degrees was recorded on the 2 nd and 3 rd. Daytime high temperatures averaged 80.2 degrees, 0.6 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 64.0 degrees, 0.1 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 60% of the possible sunshine hours, 3 points above average. We did however have 4 days with dense fog here in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 3.77 inches; this is 0.57 inches above normal. Rainfall was recorded on 13 days, and only five of these days had measurable precipitation over 0.10 inches, the largest 24-hour rainfall of 1.47 inches on the 30 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 is 29.15 inches, 2.15 inches above average for East Wareham. Our year-to-date total is 4.00 inches below last year’s total at this same time. Thunder storms were recorded on two evenings.

PERSONNEL

Dr. DeMoranville traveled to Scottsdale, AZ to attend the 2007 Annual International Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science, from July 15th to July 20th.

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to San Diego, CA to attend the American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, from July 25th to Aug. 2nd.

June

June was very dry, with below average temperatures and average sunshine. The temperature averaged 64.0 degrees, 1.6 degrees per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 83.0 degrees on the 25 th; a minimum temperature of 45.0 degrees was recorded on the 7 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 73.3 degrees, 0.3 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 56.5 degrees, 1.0 degrees below the norm. The first half of the month was cool and damp, while the second half was warm and humid.

Sunshine totaled 57% of the possible sunshine hours, 1 point above the norm. We had 3 days with 90% sunshine and 3 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 1.77 inches, which is 1.8 inches below normal and 10.48 inches less then June 2006. We had measurable precipitation on 13 days, but only 4 days had measurable precipitation greater than 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.58 inches on the 4 th. In the first five days, we received 1.41 inches of the 1.77 monthly total and also had 2 of the 3 thunderstorms recorded in June. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 is 25.38 inches, 1.58 inches above average for East Wareham. This is 6.13 inches less than 2006.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Charlottesville, VA to attend and present a paper at the World Congress of Parasitic Plants Meeting, from June 4th to June 7th.

May

May was warm and dry with above average sunshine. The temperatures for May averaged 57.0 degrees, 0.7 degrees per day above normal. The maximum temperature was 91.0 degrees on the 25 th and a minimum temperature of 32.0 degrees was recorded on the 7 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 66.9 degrees, 6.3 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 47.1 degrees, 6.4 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 63% of the possible sunshine hours, 11 points above the norm. This was also 20% greater than May of 2006. There were 10 days with 90% or more sunshine and we had 4 days with no sunshine at all, compared to May 2006 when we had 12 days with no sunshine. There were only 2 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 2.99 inches. We had 10 days with measurable precipitation. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.06 inches on the 18 th -19 th. Our total year to date rainfall is 23.61 inches, 3.31 inches above the average in East Wareham.

The official spring (March-May) was warm and wet. Temperatures averaged 2.4 degrees above normal, with 5.35 inches above-average rainfall and 1.2 inches below-average snowfall for this period. Sunshine was also above normal, with a sunny March and May and a very cloudy April

April

April was cold and wet. The temperature averaged 44.0 degrees, 1.9 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature was 76.0 degrees on the 24 th and a minimum temperature of 25.0 degrees was recorded on the 7 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 52.0 degrees, 2.2 degrees below the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 36.0 degrees, 1.5 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 40% of the possible sunshine hours, 9 points below the norm. This is also 16 points below last year. We had 10 days with virtually no sun, and only 5 days had over 90% sunshine.

Precipitation totaled 8.13 inches, which is 3.83 inches above normal. This is the third wettest April in the 80 years of records in East Wareham. We had measurable precipitation on 11 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.30 inches on the 16 th. This was the start of a four day Nor-easter, which gave us a total of 3.78 inches of rain and winds gusting to 77 mph. Year-to-date rainfall for 2007 stands at 20.62 inches; this is 3.92 inches above normal and 8.5 inches above the year to date rainfall at this point in 2006.

In the past 10 years, we averaged 34.67 inches of snowfall during the winter season. Snowfall recorded during the winter season of 2006-2007 in East Wareham was only 10.72 inches, 23.95 inches below the average.

Personnel

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Washington DC to participate with other scientists on the review panel for USDA/CSREES Pest Management Alternative Program, April 23-26.

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