Cranberry Weather Summaries Archive

Format: 2024

2007

March

March was much like a lion for the first three weeks and then like a lamb the final week when it came to temperatures this year. On the whole, March was cold, very wet and had above average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 37.0 degrees, 0.2 degrees per day below the average. Maximum temperature was 62.0 degrees on the 27 th and 30 th and a minimum temperature of 6.0 degrees was recorded on the 9th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 47.0 degrees, 1.8 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 27.0 degrees, 2.2 degrees below the norm. Temperatures for March averaged out to be very similar to last year’s March temperatures.

Sunshine totaled 54% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points above the norm. Four days had no sunshine, yet four days had over 95% sunshine. Sunshine data are from the Blue Hill Observatory.

Precipitation totaled 6.53 inches. This is 2.13 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation of 0.10 inches or greater rainfall on seven days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.96 inches on the 16 th and 17 th. We have received 12.49 inches of rainfall year to date, totaling 0.09 inches above average for the year-to-date in East Wareham . We had three events with measurable snowfall during the month, totaling 4.8 inches. The 2006 – 2007 winter season snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now at 10.72 inches. This will come in as the 6 th lowest snowfall here in East Wareham , the record low set in 1997 with only 5.07 inches of snow.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Nashville, TN to attend the National Viticulture Extension Leadership Conference, March 27-29th.

February

February was dry and windy, with below average temperatures and well above average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 27.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature was 49 degrees on the 20th and a minimum temperature of 10.0 degrees was recorded on the 5 th, 7 th, and the 19 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 35.5 degrees, 2.7 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 18.6 degrees, 3.1 degrees below the norm. There were no single digit temperatures recorded in February, yet the evening lows were below 30 degrees every night.

Sunshine totaled 63% of the possible sunshine hours, 13 points over the norm. Sunshine was above normal, very much like the 14 points above normal last year and the 15 points above normal in February 2004.

Precipitation totaled 1.93 inches. This was 1.79 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 8 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.13 inches on the 14 th. There were 4 days with measurable snowfall totaling 3.7 inches, 5.7 inches below normal. The greatest snowfall for one storm came on the 26 th with 2.5 inches. Year-to-date snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now 4.9 inches.

The official winter in East Wareham (Dec. 2006 - Feb. 2007) averaged 33.3 degrees, 2.5 degrees above normal. The low mark was 4.0 degrees on Jan. 4 th and the high mark was 63 degrees on Dec. 1 st. The coldest daily high was a bitter 15.0 degrees on Jan. 26 th. Sunshine was 53%, 6 points above normal. Precipitation totaled 8.80 inches, 1.32 inches below average. Snowfall totaled 5.9 inches, 6.17 inches below normal. This is the 3 rd lowest snowfall for a winter season, surpassed only by 2000 – 2001 season of 5.15 inches and the 1997 – 1998 season with the record low of 4.05 inches.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Vancouver, BC to speak at the First Annual Cranberry Congress, Feb. 7th – Feb. 11th.

January

January was warm with slightly below average rain and very little snow. The average temperature was 33.0 degrees, 4.3 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 59 degrees on January 6 th, the same as last January’s high. A minimum temperature of 4.0 degrees was recorded on the 26 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 41.0 degrees, 4.0 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 26.0 degrees, 5.7 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures were below 32 degrees for 20 nights. Only 2 nights had temperatures in the single digits.

Precipitation totaled 4.03 inches. This is 0.51 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 13 days; 4 of those days had less than 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.22 inches on the 1 st. We had measurable snowfall of 0.10 inches or greater only on 2 days of the month totaling 1.20 inches, 9.0 inches below average. All snow cover lasted for less than 24 hours. The largest 24-hour snowfall was 0.9 inches on the 23 rd of January.

Sunshine totaled 49% of the possible sunshine hours, 3 points above the normal and 10 points over last January.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Baltimore, MD to attend the Northeastern Weed Science Society 61st Annual Meeting, from January 2nd to January 5th.

Dr. Carolyn DeMoranville traveled to College Park, MD to attend the 2007 Northeast Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting, from January 4th to January 6th.

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to New Jersey to meet with researchers and discuss future research projects, from January 22nd to January 24th.

2006

Year in Review

The year 2006 was very warm with average rainfall and above average sunshine. This was the second warmest year on record, averaging 51.9 degrees, 3.8 degrees above the 30-year average in East Wareham. This year matched 1990 and was surpassed only by 1998, when temperatures averaged 53.3 degrees. The average monthly temperature was above normal for 10 out of 12 months of the year. The only two months in which the monthly high averages were below the normal average temperatures were May and June. The maximum temperature for the year was recorded in August at 100 degrees. The minimum temperature was 9.0 degrees, recorded in February. January had only 1 day with daytime high below 32 degrees, compared to 2005’s 21 days. Only 18 nights had temperatures below 32 degrees and of those 18 nights, only 2 nights were in the teens; no single digit or below zero temperatures were recorded. February was very sunny, much like 2005. June had record-breaking rainfall, totaling 12.25 inches of rain, surpassing the record set in 1938 of 9.65 inches.

The official winter of 2005 - 2006 was above average in temperature with above average rainfall and sunshine. Snowfall for the winter of 2005 - 2006 in East Wareham was 34.08 inches, just 3.85 inches short of the past 10-year average. The official spring 2006 had averages above normal in temperatures, rainfall and sunshine hours. This was the fourth wettest May in the 79 years of records in East Wareham. The official summer of 2006 was above average in temperature with below-average sunshine. The maximum temperature was 100 degrees on August 2 nd. After the record breaking rainfall in June of 12.25 inches, rainfall came evenly throughout July and August. The official fall season for 2006 was wet, mild and cloudy.

By year’s end, precipitation totaled 54.69 inches, 7.39 inches above normal. January and June had the greatest number of days (17) with measurable rainfall; June was the wettest month with 12.3 inches of rainfall. The most rainfall in a 24-hour period also came in June, with 5.73 inches. We had two 3-day Nor’easters; one in May that produced a total of 4.05 inches of rain and one in October, yielding less rain. The remains of Hurricane Florence passed by well off shore in September and did not affect our area. The driest month was March with 0.60 inches of rain. February gave us the most snowfall in 2006, with 12.5 inches in just 3 storms.

Sunshine hours for the year totaled 52%. There were four months with low sunshine hours and eight months with above sunshine hours. February was the sunniest month, at 64%, and May was the dreariest, at 39%.

Overall, we started the 2006 year very warm and wet with below-average snowfall. After the rains that fell in June, the weather was characterized by a warm and sunny summer. A 3-day Nor’easter in May left 4.05 inches of rain and little to no damage. While the October 3-day Nor’easter yielded less rain (2.11 inches), there was lots of high wind damage. We ended the year on a very warm and dry note.

December

December was very warm, with slightly above average sunshine and below normal precipitation. The temperature averaged 40.0 degrees, 6.1 degrees per day above normal. This was the second warmest December in the 79 years of records in East Wareham, surpassed only by 2001 average temperature of 40.1 degrees. Maximum temperature was 63.0 degrees on the 1 st; a minimum temperature of 19.0 degrees was recorded on the 6 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 48.6 degrees, 6.5 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 31.4 degrees, 5.7 degrees above the norm.

Precipitation totaled 2.84 inches, 1.46 inches below normal. We had 10 rain events spread out evenly during the month. Measurable rain, of 0.10 or more, was recorded on 8 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.80 inches on the 23 rd. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 was 54.69 inches, 7.39 inches above average for East Wareham . We also had 2 days with measurable snow, totaling 1.1 inches for the month, and 3.78 inches below normal. The largest snowfall was on December 4 th with 0.6 inches.

Sunshine for the month totaled 47% of possible, 1 point below normal.

November

November was a very warm, cloudy and wet month. The temperature averaged 48.0 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal and 2.0 degrees warmer then 2005. Maximum temperature was 68.0 degrees on the 16 th, a minimum temperature of 25.0 degrees was recorded on the 5 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 56.0 degrees, 4.6 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 41.0 degrees, 6.0 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 5.0 degrees higher then 2005.

Precipitation totaled 6.23 inches, 1.71 inches above normal. We had 12 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 2.86 inches on the 23 rd. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 is 51.85 inches, 6.30 inches above November 2005 year-to-date and 8.85 inches above the average for East Wareham . Snowfall for the month of November in East Wareham averaged 1.5 inches and we received 0.0 inches of snow.

Sunshine totaled 39% of the possible, 8 points below average. There were no days with full sunshine.

The official fall season Sept – Nov. 2006 was wet, mild and cloudy. Temperatures averaged 54.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees above normal. A maximum temperature of 81 degrees was reached on the 17 th of Sept. and a low of 25 degrees was reached on the 5 th of November. Rainfall totaled 15.79 inches, 3.32 inches above normal. Sunshine was just 1 point below normal.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler, Dr. Justine Vanden Heuvel and technician Seasons Suder traveled to Hampton , NH on November 2 nd to attend the New Wine Grape Grower’s Meeting and give presentations.

Dr. Frank Caruso travel to Burlington , VT on November 6 th – 9 th to attend the Northeastern Division American Phytopathological Society meeting.

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Worcester on Nov. 10 th to attend and present a paper at the Northeastern Society of Wetland Scientists meeting.

October

October had average temperatures, above average sunshine, and above normal rainfall. The temperature averaged 52.2 degrees, 0.1 degree per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 73.0 degrees on the 4 th and the 18 th; a minimum temperature of 31.0 degrees was recorded on the 27 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 62.6 degrees, 1.3 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 43.0 degrees, 0.3 degrees below the norm. October was a very quiet month with no record-breaking temperatures or rainfall. The mixture of cloudy days, sunny days, and rainy days was evenly divided over the month except for a Nor’easter on October 28-30, which produced 2.11 inches of rain and very strong damaging winds. Wind gusts over 40 mph were reported on the 28 th and gusts over 56 mph on the 29 th. Wind damage was reported throughout New England .

Sunshine totaled 57% of the possible sunshine hours, 18% over last year and 2 points below the norm. We had 5 mostly clear days and only 1 day with morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 4.67 inches, 0.78 inches above the 30-year average, unlike last year’s record-breaking rainfall of 12.07. Measurable rain was recorded on 9 days. The Largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.11 inches on the 28 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 is 45.62 inches, 7.02 inches above average for East Wareham and 6.74 inches below 2005. There was no reported snowfall in Southeast New England this month.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Baltimore, MD to attend the Northeastern Weed Science Society Executive Committee Meeting held Oct. 2-3 rd.

September

September had near average temperatures and just above normal sunshine. The temperature averaged 61.9 degrees, 1.1 degrees per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 81.0 degrees on the 17 th; a minimum temperature of 39.0 degrees was recorded on the 30 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 71.5 degrees, 0.1 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 52.3 degrees, 2.2 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 58% of the possible sunshine hours, 2 points above the norm. We had 13 mostly clear days, 12 days with no sunshine, and 2 days with morning fog in East Wareham

Precipitation totaled 4.89 inches, 0.99 inches above normal. The first two-thirds of the month had 3 rain events totaling 4.65 inches of rain; only 0.24 inches of rain fell in the last 10 days. There were only 8 days with measurable precipitation. The remains of Hurricane Florence passed by well offshore on the 12 th. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.92 inches on the 20 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 is 40.95 inches, 6.15 inches above average for East Wareham and 0.74 inches above the 2005 total rainfall at the same time last year.

August

August was cool and sunny with slightly below average rainfall for the month. The temperature averaged 70.0 degrees, 0.7 degrees per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 100.0 degrees on the 2 nd and a minimum temperature of 49.0 degrees was recorded on the 13 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 79.6 degrees, 2.4 degrees below last year and 1.2 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 60.0 degrees, 5.0 degrees below last year and 2.9 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 61% of the possible sunshine hours, 3 points above the norm. We had 7 mostly clear days, only 2 days with no sunshine and 3 days with fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 3.05 inches. This is 0.85 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 11 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.55 inches on the 28 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 is 36.06 inches, 2.68 inches above last year at this time and 5.16 inches above the average year to date for East Wareham .

Official Summer Season

The official summer (June, July and August) averaged out to be warm and wet with low sunshine. Overall rainfall was 6.41 inches above normal (due to the very wet June). Temperatures average 1.8 degrees above the norm and the sunshine was 53%, 4 points below normal. We had a maximum temperature of 100 degrees on the August 2 nd. Typically, our region averages 4 days of 90 degrees or higher, and we tallied four 90+ days during the official summer season. After the heavy rains in June, rainfall came evenly throughout July and August. This was the wettest June in the 80 years of record keeping in East Wareham , surpassing the record set in 1938 of 9.65 inches. We had 5 rain events with over 0.10 inches of rain in July and 7 in August.

2006 Crop Forecast

New England Agricultural Statistic Service gave the United States forecast for the 2006 cranberry crop on August 22 nd in Rochester , MA . This year’s forecast is the production of 6.64 million barrels, up 6 percent from 2005. Massachusetts ’ cranberry crop is forecasted to reach 1.75 million barrels, up 23 percent from 2005. New Jersey ’s forecast is for 490,000 barrels (up from 2005), Oregon : 485,000 barrels (down from 2005), Washington : 160,000 barrels (down from 2005), and Wisconsin : 3.75 million barrels (up from 2005). The 2005-2006 winters was mild with low vine damage and very little winter kill. May and June were very wet limiting bee activity. The bloom was above average, and fruit sizing will be a big factor determining the total crop yield for Massachusetts.

Personnel

Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled to Winchester, VA to attend the Regional Cooperative Extension Wine Grape In-Service Training short course on August 16–17, 2006.

July

July’s weather had average temperatures just above normal, very little rainfall, and lots of fog and high humidity. The temperature averaged 74.0 degrees, 2.1 degrees above average. Maximum temperature was 92.0 degrees on the 29 th and a minimum temperature of 57.0 degrees was recorded on the 1 st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 82.0 degrees, 2.4 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 65.0 degrees, 0.9 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 57% of the possible sunshine hours, just about normal for July. We did however have 4 days with dense fog here in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 1.50 inches; this is 1.73 inches below normal. Rainfall was recorded on 10 days, and only five of these days had measurable precipitation over 0.10 inches, the largest 24-hour rainfall of 0.54 inches on the 6 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 is 33.01 inches, 6.01 inches above average for East Wareham . The previous two months however, have been very wet totaling 19.39 inches of rain, 12.29 inches above normal.

Personnel

Dr. Vanden Heuvel traveled to Rochester , NY to attend the Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Division of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture from July 9th to July 12th. Dr. Vanden Heuvel and Dr. Sandler attended the Grape Growers Twilight Meeting in Little Compton, RI on July 13th. Dr. DeMoranville and Dr. Vanden Heuvel traveled to New Orleans , LA to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual International Conference, from July 26th to July 31st.

Dr. Frank Caruso traveled to Quebec City , Quebec to attend the American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, from July 28th to Aug. 3rd. Dr. Hilary Sandler traveled July 31st-August 3rd, first to Newark, DE to attend the Northeastern Weed Science Society Weed Contest and then on to Elkton, MD to attend the NEWSS Executive Committee Meeting.

June

June was extremely wet, with average temperatures and well below average sunshine. The temperature averaged 66.0 degrees, 0.4 degrees per day above normal. Maximum temperature was 82.0 degrees on the 17 th and 30 th; a minimum temperature of 50.0 degrees was recorded on the 11 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 72.4 degrees, 1.2 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 58.7 degrees, 1.2 degrees above the norm. The first half of the month was cool and damp, while the second half was warm and humid.

Sunshine totaled 39% of the possible sunshine hours, 16 points below the norm. We had 2 days with 90% sunshine and 3 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 12.25 inches, which is 8.99 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation on 17 days and a trace on one other day. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 5.73 inches on the 7 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 is 31.31 inches, 7.88 inches above average for East Wareham. This is the wettest June in the past 80 years for East Wareham, surpassing the record set in 1938 of 9.65 inches.

May

May was very wet with average temperature and below average sunshine. The month of May was the fourth wettest in our 79 years of records in East Wareham. The temperatures for May averaged 56.5 degrees, 0.2 degrees per day above normal and 6.4 degrees warmer than last year. The maximum temperature was 80.0 degrees on the 27 th and a minimum temperature of 39.0 degrees was recorded on the 8 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 64.5 degrees, 0.3 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 48.5 degrees, 0.8 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 43% of the possible sunshine hours, 9 points below the norm. We had 12 days with no sunshine at all and 7 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 7.14 inches. As noted above, this was the fourth wettest May on record, measuring 3.69 inches above normal. This rainfall total is surpassed only three times; in 2005 with 8.41 inches, 1967 with 8.68 inches and 9.18 inches in 1948. We had 10 days with measurable precipitation of 0.10 inches or greater and 4 days with a trace to 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 3.00 inches on the 13 th - 14 th with a total of 4.05 inches over the 3-day nor’easter. Due to the very dry March and April, our total year to date rainfall is 1.11 inches below the average in East Wareham.

The official spring (March-May) was warm and dry. Temperatures averaged 2.6 degrees above normal, with 2.78 inches below-average rainfall and 2.2 inches above average snowfall for this period. Sunshine was also above normal, with a sunny March and April and a very cloudy May.

April

April was mild, dry and quite sunny. The temperature averaged 47.2 degrees, 1.3 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 69.0 degrees on the 19 th and a minimum temperature of 28.0 degrees was recorded on the 9 th and 10 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 57.3 degrees, 3.1 degrees above the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 36.9 degrees, 0.6 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 56% of the possible sunshine hours, 7 points above the norm. We had 7 days with over 90% sunshine and only 1 day with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 2.13 inches, which is 2.26 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 12 days, with only 4 days measuring over 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.67 inches on the 8 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2006 stands at 12.12 inches; this is 4.6 inches below normal and 6.71 inches below the year to date rainfall at this point in 2005.

In the past 10 years, we averaged 37.93 inches of snowfall during the winter season. The winter season of 2005-2006 snowfall recorded in East Wareham is 34.08 inches, just 3.85 inches short of the average. Please note that if we were to remove the record snowfall of 2004-2005 (104.13 inches), our 2004-2005 snowfall of 34.08 inches would be 5.89 inches above the current 10-year average of 28.19 inches and 2.68 inches above the 30-year average of 31.40 inches.

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