Cranberry Weather Summaries Archive

Format: 2025

2009

September

September was extremely cold and wet with above average sunshine.  The temperature averaged 61.0 degrees, 2.0 degrees per day below normal.  Maximum temperature was 79.0 degrees on the 24th; a minimum temperature of 41.0 degrees was recorded on the 26th.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 71.0 degrees, which is 0.4 degree below the norm.  Evening temperatures averaged 52.0 degrees, 2.5 degrees below the norm.  This was the 14th coolest September in the 83 years of record keeping in East Wareham. 

Sunshine totaled 62% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points above the norm.  We had 12 days with 90% or better sunshine; 10 with mixed sun and clouds and 8 days with 20% or less sunshine.  There were 2 days with morning fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 8.53 inches, 4.47 inches above normal.  This was the 5th highest rainfall for September in the 83 years of records in East Wareham.  On the whole, September was dry with only two rain events.  The first 11 days of the month were dry followed by 36 hours of rain totaling 7.42 inches.  The next 13 days were dry when the second rain event deposited 1.10 inches of rain over a 48-hour period.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2009 is 46.76 inches, 10.86 inches above average for East Wareham and 6.12 inches above 2008 total rainfall at the same time last year.

August

August had above-average temperatures and rainfall, with lots of sunshine.  The temperature averaged 72.0 degrees, 1.3 degrees per day above normal.  Maximum temperature was 90.0 degrees on the 10th and 18th and a minimum temperature of 55.0 degrees was recorded on the 8th, 9th, 30th and 31st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 80.0 degrees, 1.6 degrees above the norm.  Evening temperatures averaged 65.0 degrees, 2.1 degrees above the norm. 

Sunshine totaled 64% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points above the norm.  We had 14 mostly clear days, 8 partly cloudy days, and 9 cloudy days.  We also had 7 days with heavy morning fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 5.34 inches, 1.27 inches above normal.  We had measurable precipitation on 9 days, and of those 9 days, only 5 had measurable rainfall of 0.10 inches or more.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 3.00 inches when a tropical storm passed by the outer cape, on the 28th and 29th.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2009 is 38.23 inches, 6.50 inches above the yearly average for East Wareham and 7.42 inches above last year at this time. 

Official Summer Season

The official summer (June, July and August) averaged 67.3 degrees, 2.1 degrees below the 30-year average.  The summer was very wet, 7.11 inches above normal precipitation (due to the very wet July).  Sunshine average was 47% of possible hours, 9 points below the average (due to the very cloudy June).  We had a maximum temperature of 90 degrees recorded on the August 10th and 18th and a minimum temperature of 42 degrees recorded on June 1st.  Rainfall totaled 17.98 inches, 8.15 inches more than the 2008 summer season.  The 2009 summer season will be remembered for the near record low temperatures and sunshine for June and record setting rainfall recorded in July.

2009 Crop Forecast

New England Agricultural Statistics Service released the United States forecast for the 2009 cranberry crop on August 18th in Carver, MA.  This year’s forecast is for 7.09 million barrels, up 10 percent from 2008.  Massachusetts’ cranberry crop is forecasted to reach 1.90 million barrels, down 20 percent from 2008.  New Jersey’s forecast is for 540,000 barrels (up 5 percent from 2008), Oregon: 490,000 barrels (up 23 percent from 2008), Washington: 155,000 barrels (up 42 percent from 2008), and Wisconsin: 4.00 million barrels (down 11 percent from 2008).   For Massachusetts, cooler temperatures and above average rainfall during the growing season reduced pollination.  Frost in late spring damaged some bogs as well as winter sanding contributed to the decrease projection in production.

July

July was very cold and wet with very low sunshine.  The temperature averaged 69.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below average and 5.0 degrees cooler than July 2008.  The maximum temperature of 86.0 degrees was recorded on the 30th, and a minimum temperature of 48.0 degrees was recorded on the 10th.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 77.0 degrees, 2.6 degrees below the norm.  Evening temperatures averaged 61.0 degrees, 3.1 degrees below the norm. 

Sunshine totaled 51% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points below average.  2008 was 4 points above the average.  We did have 5 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Total precipitation for July in East Wareham set an all-time record.  We recorded 8.23 inches; this is 5.0 inches above normal.  We surpassed the record of 7.20 set in 1988.  The next highest rainfall for July was set in 1928 with 5.87 inches.  Rainfall was recorded on 12 days, and ten of these days had measurable precipitation over 0.10 inches.  The largest 24-hour rainfall of 1.80 inches occurred on the 18th.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2009 is 35.89 inches, 5.89 inches above average for East Wareham.  Thunder storms were recorded on four days.

June

June was very damp, with well below average temperatures and sunshine.  The temperature averaged 61.0 degrees, 4.6 degrees below average and 7.5 degrees below 2008.  Maximum temperature was 82.0 degrees on the 7th; a minimum temperature of 42.0 degrees was recorded on the 1st.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 69.0 degrees, 4.6 degrees below the norm.  Evening temperatures averaged 55.0 degrees, 2.5 degrees below the norm. This was the third coldest June recorded in East Wareham, surpassed only by 1926 (60.2 degrees) and 1982 (59.7 degrees).
     
Sunshine totaled only 27% of the possible sunshine hours, 2nd lowest total sunshine recorded for June, surpassed only by June 1903 with 25%.  We had 0 days with 90% or greater possible sunshine recorded at Blue Hill; 11 days with less than 50% sunshine and 11 days with 0 sunshine.
  
Precipitation totaled 4.41 inches, which is 0.84 inches above normal.  We had measurable precipitation on 17 days, with 13 of those days having measurable precipitation greater than 0.10 inches.  We had a three-day Nor’easter with strong winds and heavy rain on June 21 – 23.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.05 inches on the 19th followed by the Nor’easter, totaling 1.26 inches.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2009 is 24.66 inches, 0.16 inches above average for East Wareham and 0.81 inches more than 2008.

May

May came in with just below average temperatures, slightly above average rainfall and very low sunshine. The temperatures for May averaged 56.0 degrees, 0.3 degrees per day below normal. The maximum temperature was 78.0 degrees on the 30th and a minimum temperature of 39.0 degrees was recorded on the 13th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 64.0 degrees, 0.8 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures, however, averaged 50.0 degrees, 2.3 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 47% of the possible sunshine hours, 5 points below the norm and 6% below May 2008. There were only 5 days with 90% or better sunshine and 8 days with no sunshine at all. There were 2 days with dense fog in East Wareham. 

Precipitation totaled 4.03 inches, 0.30 inches above the average rainfall for May in East Wareham. There were a total of 17 days with measurable precipitation. The first half of the month, we experienced rainfall on 11 out of 15 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.71 inches on the 5th. Our total year-to-date rainfall is 20.25 inches, 0.65 inches above the average in East Wareham, and 0.73 inches below the amount measured at this point last year.

The official spring (March-May) had slightly above average temperatures and rainfall, with above average sunshine. Temperatures averaged 47.0 degrees, 0.5 degrees above average; rainfall totaled 13.85 inches, 1.17 inches above average and snowfall totaled 5.8 inches, right on average. Sunshine average well above normal, with March and April being well above average and May having above normal sunshine.

April

April was very warm, wet and sunny this year.  The temperature averaged 48.0 degrees, 2.1 degrees above normal.  The maximum temperature was 85.0 degrees on the 26th and a minimum temperature of 29.0 degrees was recorded on the 1st.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 58.0 degrees, 3.8 degrees above the norm.  Evening low temperatures averaged 39.0 degrees, 1.5 degrees above the norm.  During the first half of the month temperatures dropped into the 30’s on 10 nights, with daytime highs in the 40’s and 50’s.  The last half of the month temperatures reached into the 70’s and even into the 80’s during the day.

Sunshine totaled 55% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points above the norm.  This is also 2 points below last year.  We had 6 days with virtually no sun, and only 6 days had over 90% sunshine.

Precipitation totaled 6.24 inches, which is 1.85 inches above normal.  This is 1.68 inches more than April 2008 in East Wareham.  We had measurable precipitation on 11 days.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.12 inches on the 6th.  The highest rainfall in one storm was 2.18 inches over a two-day period.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2009 stands at 16.22 inches; this is 0.98 inches below normal and 1.95 inches below the year to date rainfall at this point in 2008.  We did experience 3 thunderstorms this month and heavy fog on 2 days.

In the past 10 years, we averaged 32.35 inches of snowfall during the winter season. Snowfall recorded during the winter season of 2008-2009 in East Wareham was 45.53 inches, 13.18 inches above the average.  This is 16.59 inches more than the winter season of 2007-2008.

March

March was much like a lion for the first four days, during which time we experienced a Northeaster that delivered 5.03 inches of snow and very cold temperatures.  On the whole however, March had average temperatures, below normal precipitation and above average sunshine. The temperatures averaged 37.0 degrees, 0.2 degrees per day below the average.  Maximum temperature was 64.0 degrees on the 7th and a minimum temperature of 12.0 degrees was recorded on the 4th.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 45.0 degrees, 0.2 degrees below the norm.  Evening temperatures averaged 29.0 degrees, 0.2 degrees below the norm. 

Sunshine totaled 57% of the possible sunshine hours, 9 points above the norm.  Nine days had no sunshine, yet thirteen days had over 90% sunshine.  Sunshine data are from the Blue Hill Observatory.  2009 sunshine is 59% of the possible.  The record for this same time period from the Blue Hill Observatory is 60%, set back in 1978.

Precipitation totaled 3.58 inches. This is 1.02 inches below normal.  We had measurable precipitation of 0.10 inches or greater rainfall on seven days.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.31 inches on the 29th - 30th.  We have received a total of 9.98 inches of rainfall year to date, totaling 2.84 inches below average for East Wareham.  We had only one event with measurable snowfall during the month, totaling 5.3 inches.  The 2008 – 2009 winter season snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now at 46.53 inches.  This will come in as 13.34 inches above the average snowfall in East Wareham.

February

February was very warm, dry, and well above the average sunshine.  The temperatures averaged 33.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees above normal.  The maximum temperature was 54.0 degrees on the 8th, 12th, and 27th and a minimum temperature of  -1.0 degree was recorded on the 6th.  Daytime high tempera-tures averaged 44.0 degrees, 5.8 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 21.7 degrees, 1.3 degrees above the norm.  There were 4 nights with single digit temperatures recorded in February,  and  all but 4 nights had temperatures below 32 degrees.

Sunshine totaled 64% of the possible sunshine hours, 14 points above the norm.  Nine days had full sunshine and there were 2 days with fog.   This was very unusually high sunshine for February. 

Precipitation totaled 1.43 inches. This was 2.29 inches below normal. This will be recorded as the 6th driest February in the 83 years of weather data keeping at the East Wareham Station, the driest being 1968 with 0.91 inches of precipitation.  We had measurable precipitation on 5 days evenly spread out over the month. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.38 inches on the 28th.  There were only 2 days with measurable snowfall totaling 5.75 inches, 3.6 inches below normal.  The greatest snowfall for one storm came on the 4th with 5.25 inches.  Year-to-date snowfall recorded in East Wareham is now 27.0 inches.

The official winter in East Wareham (Dec. 2008 - Feb. 2009) was very close to normal for tempera-ture and rainfall, but the snowfall and sunshine were well above normal.  The season temperatures averaged 31.3 degrees, 0.5 degrees above normal.  The low mark was -1.0 degrees on Feb. 6th and the high mark was 55 degrees on Dec. 23rd.  The coldest daily high was a bitter 18.0 degrees on Jan. 15th.  Sunshine was 64%, 14 points above normal.  Precipitation totaled 12.51 inches, 0.25 inches below average.  Snowfall totaled 39.50 inches, 15.10 inches above normal.

January

January was very cold with slightly above average rain and well above average sunshine and snowfall.  The average temperature was 26.0 degrees, 2.7 degrees below normal.  The maximum temperature was 49 degrees on January 28th.   A minimum temperature of 3.0 degrees was recorded on the 16th.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 34.0 degrees, 3.0 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 17.0 degrees, 3.3 degrees below the norm.  Daytime high temperatures were below 32 degrees on 12 days.  Evening temperatures were below 32 degrees for all 31 nights.  Only 4 nights had temperatures in the single digits.

Precipitation totaled 4.97 inches.  This is 0.50 inches above normal. We had measurable precipitation on 13 days; 5 of those days had less than 0.10 inches.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.38 inches on the 28th.  We had measurable snowfall of 0.10 inches or greater on 11 days of the month totaling 21.25 inches, 11.05 inches above average.  The largest 24-hour snowfall was 8.5 inches on the 1st of January.  We had snow cover on the ground every day in January.

Sunshine totaled 57% of the possible sunshine hours, 11 points above the normal and 10 points above last January. 

2008

Year in Review

The year 2008 was just slightly above normal temperatures with well-above average rainfall and above-average sunshine.  Temperatures averaged 50.4 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the 30-year average in East Wareham.  The average monthly temperature was above normal for 7 of the 12 months of the year.  The maximum temperature for the year was recorded on July 19th at 92 degrees.  The minimum temperature of 7.0 degrees was recorded on January 27th.  The year started with above average snowfall in January and ended the year with above average snowfall in December. 

The official winter of 2007 - 2008 had above average temperatures and rainfall.  Sunshine was 6 points below normal.  Snowfall for the winter of 2007 – 2008 in East Wareham was 28.84 inches, 3.51 inches above normal.  The official 2008 spring had average temperatures and rainfall with well above average sunshine hours and below average snowfall.  The official summer of 2008 was about average in temperature and sunshine with low rainfall.  We had an unusual number of thunderstorms and hail around the region during the summer.  The official fall season for 2008 was cool, wet and sunny. 

By the year’s end, precipitation totaled 55.44 inches, 8.14 inches above normal.  September was the wettest month with 9.83 inches of rainfall.  The driest month was October with 2.37 inches of rain.  December had the most snowfall in 2008, with 14.5 inches in just 3 storms.  We also set a new record for highest daily total snowfall in December (10.5 inches), surpassing 2007 record of 8.6 inches and 1987 record of 8.0 inches.

Sunshine hours for the year totaled 52%.  There were only four months with low sunshine hours and eight months with above sunshine hours.  August was the sunniest month at 63% and December had the lowest sunshine at 39%.
Overall, we started 2008 very warm and wet with below-average snowfall.  The weather was characterized by being warm, sunny and wet.  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 35.0 degrees, 1.1 degrees above normal.  Maximum temperature was 58.0 degrees on the 10th;  a minimum temperature of 8.0 degrees was recorded on the 31st.  Daytime high temperatures averaged 44.0 degrees, 1.9 degrees above the norm. This is 3.0 degrees warmer than December 2007.   Evening temperatures averaged 26.0 degrees, 0.3 degrees above the norm.   

Precipitation totaled 6.75 inches, 2.26 inches above normal.  We had 13 rain events spread out evenly during the month.  Measurable rain of 0.10 or more was recorded on 11 days.  The largest 24-hour rainfall was 2.97 inches on the 11th.  Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 was 55.44 inches, 8.14 inches above the average for East Wareham and 9.56 inches above 2007 total rainfall.  We also had 4 days with measurable snow, totaling 14.5 inches for the month, 9.7 inches above normal.  The largest snowfall was on December 19th with 10.5 inches.  This set a new record for the highest daily total snowfall in December, surpassing the 2007 record of 8.6 inches and the 1987 record of 8.0 inches.  We ended the month with a snow storm which continued into January 1, 2009.

Sunshine for the month totaled 39% of possible, 7 points below normal.

November

November was a cold, sunny and wet month. The temperature averaged 42.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below normal, the same as in 2007. Maximum temperature was 70.0 degrees on the 1 st and the 4 th; a minimum temperature of 19.0 degrees was recorded on the 21 st and the 24 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 51.0 degrees, 0.4 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 34.0 degrees, 1.0 degrees below the norm.

Precipitation totaled 5.68 inches, 1.28 inches above normal. We had 10 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 2.96 inches on the 25 th, with a 30-hour total of 3.01inches. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 48.69 inches, 5.69 inches above the year-to-date average for East Wareham . This is 8.92 inches above November 2007 year-to-date and 3.16 inches below November 2006 year-to-date average for East Wareham . We had no snowfall for the month of November in East Wareham . The average snowfall for November in East Wareham is 1.2 inches.

Sunshine totaled 48% of the possible, 1 point above average. There were 2 days with 98% sunshine.

The official fall season Sept – Nov. 2008 was very wet, sunny with slightly below average temperatures. Temperatures averaged 52.2 degrees, 0.6 degrees below normal. A maximum temperature of 83 degrees was recorded on the 7 th of September and a minimum temperature of 19.0 degrees was recorded on the 21 st and 24 th of November. Rainfall totaled 17.88 inches, 5.41 inches above normal and 8.36 inches above the fall season of 2007. 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.

October

October was sunny, cool and dry. The temperature averaged 51.0 degrees, 1.3 degree per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 73.0 degrees on the 9th; a minimum temperature of 27.0 degrees was recorded on the 31st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 61.0 degrees, 0.3 degrees below the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 42.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below the norm.

During the last 10 days of the month there were three days of very high winds. Wind gusts were 30 mph or higher, with top wind gusts of 48 mph on the 28th.

Sunshine totaled 61% of the possible sunshine hours, 6 points above the norm. We had 12 mostly clear days and only 1 day with morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 2.37 inches, 1.43 inches below the 30-year average. Measurable rain was recorded on 7 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.99 inches on the 25th – 26th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 43.01 inches, 4.41 inches above average for East Wareham and 8.18 inches above 2007. There was no reported snowfall in Southeast New England this month.

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