Winter 2018

Weather in Historical Perspective
Kearny, NJ

WINTER 2018:  Temperatures for the month of December averaged 34.5F and was 4F below normal.  The month ranked as the 9^th coldest such month on record (since 1977) and the coldest since 1988. The month was also the 2ns consecutive month with below normal temperatures. Thirteen days averaged near or above normal. There were 7 days with maximums of 50 and higher, 7 days with maximums of 32F or lower and 20days with minimums of 32F or lower. Temperature extremes included 59F on the 5^th and 7F on the 31^st. 

January the temperatures for the month averaged 30.6F and was 1.4F below normal.  The month ranked as the 14^th coldest such month on record (since 1977) and the coldest since 2011. The month was also the 3^rd consecutive month with below normal temperatures. Ten days averaged above normal. There were 12 days with maximums of 40 and higher, 9 days with maximums of 50F and higher and 1 day with maximums of 60F or higher.  There were also 10 days with maximums of 32F or lower and 26days with minimums of 32F or lower. Temperature extremes included 62F on the 23^rd and 3F on the 7^th.

February’s temperatures averaged 410.1F and was 7.1F above normal.  The month was the warmest February on record since 2012. Only six days averaged near or below normal. There were 24 days with maximums of 40 and higher, 14 days with maximums of 50F and higher and 5 days with maximums of 60F or higher.  There were also 1 day maximum over 70F. There was only 1 day with maximums of 32F or lower (normal is 5) and 14 days with minimums of 32F or lower. Temperature extremes included 80F on the 21^st and 14F on the 3^rd.  

The season averaged 35.4F and ranked as the 17^th warmest such season on record and the warmest since 2005-05.  This season was also the 2^nd consecutive such season with above normal temperatures. 

Precipitation in December totaled only 1.71 inches and was 2.23 inches below normal. The month ranked as the 7^th driest such month on record and the driest since 1992.  The month was also the 2^nd consecutive such month with below normal precipitation and also the 2^nd consecutive month with below normal precipitation. Most to fall in a 24-hours period was .56 of an inch on the 23^rd.

January’s precipitation totaled only 198 inches and was 1.68 inches below normal (54percent). The month ranked as the 7^th driest such month on record and the driest since 1980.  The month was also the 3^rd consecutive such month with below normal precipitation. Most of which fell during the first half of the month.  There were 9 days with measurable precipitation.  The most to fall in a 24-hours period was .65 of an inch on the 4^th. Snowfall totaled 9.5 inches, which was 100 percent of normal. The most to fall in a 24-hour period was 8.0 inches on the 4^th.

Precipitation in February totaled 6.38 inches and was 3.68 inches above normal (235 percent of normal). The month ranked as the 3^rd wettest such month on record and the wettest since 2007.  The month was also the 2^nd consecutive such month with above normal precipitation. Most of which fell during the first 11 days of the month.  There were 17 days with measurable precipitation.  The most to fall in a 24-hours period was 1.21 of an inch on the 11^th. Snowfall totaled only 4.5 inches, which was 45 percent of normal. The month tied with February 2011 as the 12^th lest snowiest such month on record. The most to fall in a 24-hour period was 4.0 inches on the 17^th.

Precipitation for the season totaled 10.07 inches and ranked as the 22^nd driest such season on record and the driest since 1990-91. Snowfall totaled 21.9 inches and ranked as the 21^st least snowiest season on record and the lest since 2008-09. The season was also the 2^nd consecutive such season with below normal snowfall.