BLUE HILL 2024 WEATHER REPORT

January 2024, 

The total precipitation reached 9.24 inches, exceeding the 30-year normal by 4.74 inches. It was noted as the fifth wettest January ever recorded.

Generally, small amounts of rain are common and have little impact on the nearby water bodies like Turner's Pond, Pope's Pond, Unquity Brook, and Pine Tree Brook. However, the start of January brought forth an exception as a hovering storm, which began on Tuesday, January 9th, poured over the community. 

On the 10th, during the most intense rain and strongest winds of the month, a squall line passed through and resulted in a precipitation accumulation of 0.61 inches within a single hour. On that day, the Thacher Street canal was on the brink of overflowing.

It is important to note that if the brook does overflow, it will seep into the surrounding soil, causing the groundwater level to rise and initiating flooding in the basements of homes near the brook. It served as a reminder of the importance of keeping the brook unblocked, so that it is not impeded in any way.

Statistical information provided by the Blue Hills Observatory.

February  2024

The total amount of precipitation recorded was 1.32 inches, which was 2.68 inches below the usual amount for that 30-year period. This made it the sixth driest February ever recorded. 

IThroughout the month, there were only eight days when measurable precipitation occurred. The most significant storm, which also brought the greatest amount of precipitation within 24 hours, happened on the 13th and resulted in 0.65 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation in the form of snow. The total snowfall for February reached 5.2 inches, which was 13.0 inches less than the average snowfall over the past 30 years.Information provided by the Blue Hills Observatory. 

March 2024

The total precipitation in March was 9.49 inches, which exceeded the 30-year normal by 3.97 inches. Moreover, it was the sixth wettest March on record. On the 23rd, the largest storm occurred, bringing 2.49 inches of precipitation accompanied by occasional heavy rain and gusty winds for several hours. Additionally, notable storms brought 2.32 inches of rain from the 27th to the 29th, 1.50 inches from the 6th to the 7th, and 1.40 inches from the 2nd to the 3rd. From January to March, the total rainfall reached 20.05 inches, ranking as the sixth highest on record. The total liquid equivalent precipitation from December to March amounted to 27.38 inches, making it the second highest for those four months. However, there was only a trace amount of snowfall during the month, occurring on six different days. This was significantly lower than the 30-year average, with a difference of 15.0 inches, and tied as the lowest snowfall ever observed in March.

Information was provided by the Blue Hills Observatory.

April 2024

April temperature and precipitation were close to average and there was less snow and sunshine than expected. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 46.8 deg F was 1.9 degree warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for April, and it was just 0.1 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 57.0 deg F was 0.7 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, and the average minimum temperature of 38.3 deg F was 0.4 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. The warmest temperature reached 73F on the 15th, and the lowest temperature was 29F on the 25th. There were no significantly warm or cold days during the month, and only four days had a minimum temperature of 32F or below. April got off to a wet start, and half of the month’s rainfall, 2.51 inches, and all of the snow fell during the first week. The total precipitation was 4.91 inches, which was just 0.15 inches more than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 2.06 inches with strong winds on the 3rd-4th. The first thunderstorm day of the year was observed during some heavy showers before sunrise on the 30th. The total snowfall for the month was 0.7 inches on the 4th, which included some sleet and was also the largest amount in 24-hours. The mean wind speed was 12.0 mph, which tied as the second lowest on record for April, and the prevailing wind direction was from the northwest. The highest wind gust was 63 mph from the east-northeast on the 4th. April sunshine was below average with 175.9 hours of bright sunshine, or 45 percent of possible, which was four percent less than the long-term average for the month. An unusual weather occurrence during April was the total solar eclipse on the 8th, which obscured 92 percent of the sun at its maximum extent at Blue Hill. During the eclipse the temperature dropped and recovered about 8 deg F and the total observed sunshine for that day was reduced by the diminished sunlight by 42 minutes relative to what would have been recorded during the thin high cloud sky cover observed that afternoon.

[All info from the Blue Hill Observatory]

May 2024

May temperature and precipitation were above average with near average sunshine. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 57.6 deg F was 2.1 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for May, and it was 0.9 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 67.7 deg F was 0.9 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. The average minimum temperature of 49.8 deg F was 1.6 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, which tied as the ninth warmest on record. The warmest temperature reached 88F on the 22nd, and the lowest temperature was 39F on the 11th. There were no daily temperature records during May. The total precipitation was 5.86 inches, which was 2.04 inches more than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 1.47 inches on the 15th-16th, and periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms brought 1.41 inches of rain on the morning of the 30th. There were four thunderstorm days during May, which was one more than average. There was no snowfall during May, and the final 2023-2024 snowfall was 26.8 inches, which was the ninth lowest seasonal snowfall record.  The mean wind speed was 10.3 mph, which was the second lowest on record for May, and the prevailing wind direction was from the east-northeast. The highest wind gust was 38 mph from the west on the 24th. May sunshine was close to average with 222.5 hours of bright sunshine, or 51 percent of possible, which was one percent less than the long-term average for the month.

Statistical Information provided by Blue Hills Observatory 

June 2024 

June temperature was much above average with near average rainfall and abundant sunshine. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 68.4 deg F was 4.1 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for er than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The month was the fourth warmest June on record. The average maximum temperature of 79.6 deg F was 4.2 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, which was also the fourth warmest on record. The average minimum temperature of 58.5 deg F was 0.9 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. The warmest temperature reached 94F on the 20th, which tied the record for the date set in 1953. This reading was the last day of a three-day heat wave on the 18th-20th, which was only the fourteenth heatwave in June on record at the Observatory. The high temperature of 93F on the 19th surpassed the previous record for the date of 92F set in 1923. The lowest temperature was 51F on the 16th. June mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 17.3 mb, which corresponds to a mean dew point of about 59F. This amount was well above the long-term mean water vapor pressure for June of 15.4 mb, which equals a mean dew point of about 56F. The total precipitation was 4.86 inches, which was just 0.23 inches more than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 1.83 inches on the 26th-27th, during several periods of thunderstorms and downpours. The calendar day rainfall of 1.63 inches on the 26th surpassed the previous record for the date of 1.22 inches set in 1938. There were five thunderstorm days during June, which was one more than average, and the total for the year through June was ten. The mean wind speed was 10.7 mph, and the prevailing wind direction was from the south-southwest. The highest wind gust was 50 mph from the northwest during a mid-day thunderstorm on the 14th. June sunshine was much above average with 281.1 hours of bright sunshine, or 64 percent of possible, which was nine percent more than the long-term average for the month.

Information provided by Blue Hill Observatory

July 2024 

July temperature was much above average with below average rainfall and near average sunshine. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 74.0 deg F was 4.0 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for July, and it was 2.3 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The month tied as the seventh warmest July on record. The average maximum temperature of 83.6 deg F was 1.9 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. The average minimum temperature of 66.7 deg F was 2.9 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, which was the second warmest on record. The highest temperature reached 92F on the 15th and 16th, The lowest temperature was 59F on the 26th, which tied as the warmest July monthly minimum temperature on record. July mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 22.2 mb, which corresponds to a mean dew point of nearly 67F. This vapor pressure was the fourth highest on record for July and the fifth highest for any month of the year. 

The long-term mean water vapor pressure for July is 19.0 mb, which equals a mean dew point of 62F. The total precipitation was 2.57 inches, which was 0.90 inches less than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 0.92 inches during a thunderstorm on the night of the 17th-18th, which included 0.53 inches in one hour. 

There were five thunderstorm days during July, which was average, and the total for the year through July was fifteen. The mean wind speed was 10.1 mph, and the prevailing wind direction was from the south-southwest. The highest wind gust was 46 mph from the south-southwest on the 31st. July sunshine was near average with 249.5 hours of bright sunshine, or 56 percent of possible, which was two percent less than the long-term average for the month.

Info from the Blue Hill Observatory 

August 2024 Summary:

August temperature was near average with less rainfall and more sunshine than average. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 69.7 deg F was 1.4 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for August, and it was 0.6 degrees cooler than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 79.9 deg F was 0.3 degrees cooler than the 30-year normal, and the average minimum temperature of 61.6 deg F was 1.0 degrees cooler than the 30-year normal. The month got off to a very warm start with the second three-day heat wave of the summer on the 1st-3rd, and the highest temperature for August reached 94F on the 2nd. The lowest temperature was 51F on the 21st. August mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 19.5 mb, which corresponds to a mean dew point of 63F. The long-term mean water vapor pressure for August is 18.4 mb, which equals a mean dew point of 61F. The total precipitation was 2.96 inches, which was 0.95 inches less than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 0.82 inches on the 9th-10th, which was most of the storm total of 0.85 inches observed during the passage of former Hurricane Debby as a post-tropical cyclone well inland to the west. There were four thunderstorm days during August, which was average, and the total for the year through August climbed to nineteen. The mean wind speed was 9.2 mph, which is a new record low average wind speed for August that also ties the record for any month of the year. The prevailing wind direction was from the west. The highest wind gust was 50 mph from the south-southwest on the 9th during the passage of post-tropical cyclone Debby. August sunshine was above average with 255.7 hours of bright sunshine, or 62 percent of possible, which was three percent more than the long-term average for the month.

Info from the Blue Hill Observatory

September 2024 Summary: Warmer and Drier Than Average

September temperature was above average with less rainfall than expected and near average sunshine. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 63.8 deg F was 2.3 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for September, and it was 0.7 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 73.5 deg F was 0.8 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, and the average minimum temperature of 56.2 deg F was 0.6 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. September was close to average for much of the month with no daily records. The highest temperature for September reached 85F on the 13th, and the lowest temperature was 49F on the 3rd. The range of minimum temperatures during September was relatively low, and despite their mean being close to average, the monthly minimum of 49F was the highest on record for September. The mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 15.7 mb, which corresponds to a mean dew point of 57F. The long-term mean water vapor pressure for September is 14.8 mb, which equals a mean dew point of 55F. The total precipitation was 1.83 inches, which was 2.23 inches less than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 1.13 inches on the 21st, which was most of the storm total of 1.26 inches observed during light rain and light drizzle on the 20th-22nd. This storm ended a period of 29 days from August 21st to September 18th during which only 0.04 inches of rain was observed. This period rivaled the longest dry spells on record at the Observatory. There were no thunderstorm days during September. Although the mean barometric pressure for the month was near average, the lowest monthly sea-level pressure of 29.80 inches tied for the second highest on record. The mean wind speed was 9.4 mph, which is a new record low average wind speed for September that was also the fourth lowest for any month of the year. The prevailing wind direction was from the northeast. The highest wind gust was only 38 mph from the northeast during the light rain on the 20th. September sunshine was near average with 199.7 hours of bright sunshine, or 56 percent of possible, which was one percent less than the long-term average for the month.

Blue Hill Observatory 

October 2024 Summary - Sixth Driest and Third Sunniest on Record

Blue Hill Observatory October 2024 Summary:

October temperature was above average with much less rainfall and much more sunshine than expected. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 54.3 deg F was 3.0 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for October, and it was 2.1 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 64.7 deg F was 3.7 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, and the average minimum temperature of 45.6 deg F was 1.6 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. October temperature started close to average, then turned cooler during the middle of the month and ended with many warm days during the last two weeks. The highest temperature for October reached 82F on the 21st, which was a new record for the date surpassing 79F set in 1979. The lowest temperature was 35F on the 15th and 17th. The mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 10.1 mb, which corresponds to a mean dew point of 50F and was average for the month. The total precipitation was 0.76 inches, which was 4.73 inches less than the 30-year normal. This amount was the sixth lowest total precipitation on record for October, and it continued a period of four consecutive months drier than average. The September-October two-month total rainfall of 2.59 inches was the third lowest on record, and the July-October four-month rainfall total of 8.12 inches was less than half the expected rainfall for this period and it was the seventh lowest on record for July to October. As of early November, this deficit has left parts of eastern Massachusetts in a severe drought. The greatest amount in 24 hours during October was just 0.27 inches on the 7th. There were only five days with measurable precipitation in October, which was one of the lowest on record. There were no thunderstorm days during October. The mean wind speed was 10.9 mph, which was the second lowest on record for the month, and the prevailing wind direction was from the west-northwest. The highest wind gust was 44 mph from the northwest on the 12th. In the very dry pattern, October sunshine was well above average with 237.2 hours of bright sunshine, or 72 percent of possible, which was the third highest on record for October and seventeen percent more than the long-term average for the month.

November 2024 was the Sunniest on Record

Blue Hill Observatory November 2024 Summary:

November temperature was much above average with less rainfall and much more sunshine than expected. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 45.8 deg F was 5.1 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for November, and it was 3.7 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The month was the eleventh warmest November on record. The average maximum temperature of 54.6 deg F was 4.5 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, which tied as the seventh warmest on record. The average minimum temperature of 37.4 deg F was 3.6 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. The month got off to a very warm start with a record breaking high temperature of 77F on the 1st, which surpassed the previous record for the date of 75F in 2003 followed by another daily record high of 80F on the 6th, which surpassed the previous record for that date of 74F in 2022. The high of 80F on the 6th was only one degree below the November record of 81F on November 2nd, 1950, but it was the latest temperature of 80F or more ever measured at the Observatory. The mean temperature of 70F on the 6th was the highest on record for November as was the five cooling degree days for that day. The first freeze of the season occurred on the 3rd with a low temperature of 30F, which was about two weeks later than average. The highest temperature for November was 80F on the 6th, and the lowest temperature was 26F on the 30th. The mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 6.8 mb, which corresponds to a mean dew point of 35F and was slightly below average for the month. The first twenty days of the month were very dry with only 0.08 inches of rain, which continued the fall dry spell and extended the severe drought in the local area, but this was followed by a three-day rain storm of 2.53 inches on the 21st-23rd. The total precipitation for the month was 3.67 inches, which was 0.64 inches less than the 30-year normal. The greatest amount in 24 hours during November was 1.61 inches on the 21st-22nd. There were only six days with measurable precipitation in November, which was one of the lowest on record. There were no thunderstorm days during November. The mean wind speed was 12.9 mph, and the prevailing wind direction was from the northwest. The highest wind gust was 52 mph from the west-northwest on the 24th. In the mostly dry pattern, November sunshine was well above average with 204.7 hours of bright sunshine, or 72 percent of possible, which was the highest amount on record for November and twenty-four percent more than the long-term average for the month.  

Note: On November 19th a fairly significant brush fire  started within the reservation
about 3/4 to 1 mile east of the Observatory and about a third of mile
north of Houghton’s pond. This fire is creating a rather dense smoke
plume. Another plume can been seen about 50-60 miles to the north from
another large brush fire in that area. The fire was contained by the Milton Fire Dept.