Cranberry Weather Summaries Archive

Format: 2025

2008

September

September was extremely wet with near average temperatures and sunshine. The temperature averaged 63.5 degrees, 0.5 degrees per day above normal. Maximum temperature was 83.0 degrees on the 7 th; a minimum temperature of 41.0 degrees was recorded on the 24 th and 25 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 71.4 degrees, which is the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 55.0 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 54% of the possible sunshine hours, 2 points below the norm. We had 17 mostly clear days, of which 5 days had 97% or better sunshine and 13 cloudy days. There were 2 days with morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 9.83 inches, 5.93 inches above normal. This was the highest rainfall for September since 1996 and the fourth wettest September in the past 80 years. There were 11 days with measurable rain. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 4.01 inches on the 28 th. This being part of a 3-day rain event totaling 6.66 inches of rain. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 40.64 inches, 5.84 inches above average for East Wareham and 9.07 inches above 2007 total rainfall at the same time last year.

August

August had below-average temperatures with lots of sunshine; it was extremely dry. The temperature averaged 69.0 degrees, 1.7 degrees per day below normal. Maximum temperature was 86.0 degrees on the 2 nd and a minimum temperature of 51.0 degrees was recorded on the 20 th and the 21 st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 79.0 degrees, 0.6 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 60.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 63% of the possible sunshine hours, 5 points above the norm. We had 17 mostly clear days, 7 partly cloudy days, and 7 cloudy days. We also had 1 day with heavy morning fog in East Wareham .

Precipitation totaled 2.85 inches, 1.05 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 12 days, and of those 12 days, only 6 had measurable rainfall of 0.10 inches or more. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.52 inches on the 11 th and 12 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 30.81 inches, 0.09 inches below the yearly average for East Wareham and 0.56 inches above last year at this time. In the last 15 days of August there was less then a 0.5 inch of rainfall.

Office Summer Season

The official summer (June, July and August) averaged 70.5 degrees, 1.1 degrees above the 30-year average. The summer was somewhat dry, 0.77 inches below normal precipitation (due to the dry June and August). Sunshine was 59% of possible hours, 3 points over the average (due to the very sunny August). We had a maximum temperature of 92 degrees recorded on the July 19 th and a minimum temperature of 51 degrees recorded on June 6 th and August 20 th and 21 st. Typically, our region averages 4 days of 90 degrees or higher, this year we had 4 days with 90+ degrees, 2 days in June and 2 days in July. Rainfall totaled 9.83 inches for the season. There was an unusual number of thunderstorms and hail around the region this summer.

2008 Crop Forecast

New England Agricultural Statistics Service gave the United States forecast for the 2008 cranberry crop on August 19 th in Wareham , MA . This year’s forecast is for 6.89 million barrels, up 5 percent from 2007 and slightly above 2006. Massachusetts ’ cranberry crop is forecasted to reach 1.90 million barrels, up 5 percent from 2007. This is the highest production level since 1999. New Jersey ’s forecast is for 500,000 barrels (down from 2007), Oregon : 490,000 barrels (down from 2007), Washington : 145,000 barrels (down from 2007), and Wisconsin : 3.85 million barrels (up from 2007). 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.

July

July had warm temperatures with above average rainfall and sunshine. The temperature averaged 74.0 degrees, 2.1 degrees above average. Maximum temperature was 92.0 degrees, recorded on the 19 th, and a minimum temperature of 60.0 degrees was recorded on the 11 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 82.0 degrees, 2.4 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 66.0 degrees, 1.9 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 61% of the possible sunshine hours, 4 points above average. We did however have 4 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 4.11 inches; this is 0.91 inches above normal. Rainfall was recorded on 8 days, and only five of these days had measurable precipitation over 0.10 inches. The largest 24-hour rainfall of 2.94 inches occurred on the 24 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 27.96 inches, 0.96 inches above average for East Wareham. Thunder storms were recorded on two days, with many storms passing to our north.

June

June was dry, with above average temperatures and below average sunshine. The temperature averaged 68.5 degrees, 2.9 degrees above normal. Maximum temperature was 90.0 degrees on the 9 th and 10 th, a minimum temperature of 51.0 degrees was recorded on the 6 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 77.0 degrees, 3.4 degrees above the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 60.0 degrees, 2.5 degrees above the norm. This was the fourth warmest June recorded in East Wareham, surpassed only by 1957, 1998, and 2001. There was an early four-day heat wave for much of the region during June 8 th – 11 th.

Sunshine totaled 52% of the possible sunshine hours, 3 points below the norm. We had 6 days with 90% of possible sunshine in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 2.87 inches, which is 0.63 inches below normal. We had measurable precipitation on 11 days, but only 5 days had measurable precipitation greater than 0.10 inches. There were three thunder storms during the month. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.13 inches on the 24 th. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 is 23.85 inches, 0.05 inches above average for East Wareham and 1.53 inches less than 2007.

May

May was cool and dry with slightly above-average sunshine. The temperatures for May averaged 54.0 degrees, 2.3 degrees per day below normal, and 3.0 degrees below last year’s average. The maximum temperature was 74.0 degrees on the 30 th and a minimum temperature of 32.0 degrees was recorded on the 1 st. Daytime high temperatures averaged 63.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees below the norm. Evening temperatures averaged 46.0 degrees, 1.7 degrees below the norm.

Sunshine totaled 53% of the possible sunshine hours, 1 point above the norm. There were 9 days with 90% or better sunshine and 8 days with no sunshine at all, compared to May 2006 when there were 12 days with no sunshine. There was only 1 days with dense fog in East Wareham.

Precipitation totaled 2.81 inches, there were 13 days having measurable precipitation. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 0.89 inches on the 9 th - 10 th. Our total year-to-date rainfall is 20.98 inches, 0.68 inches above the average in East Wareham, and 2.63 inches below the amount measured at this point last year.

The official spring (March-May) had very average temperatures and rainfall, with above-average sunshine. Temperatures averaged right at normal (46.5 degrees), with average rainfall (4.1 inches) and 5.7 inches below-average snowfall, only receiving 0.10 inches total snowfall for this period. Sunshine was well above normal, with all three months having above normal sunshine.

April

April temperatures and rainfall ran very close to average this year. The temperature averaged 47.0 degrees, 1.1 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature was 72.0 degrees on the 18 th and 24 th and a minimum temperature of 29.0 degrees was recorded on the 3 rd, 9 th, 15 th, 16 th and 17 th. Daytime high temperatures averaged 57.0 degrees, 2.8 degrees above the norm. Evening low temperatures averaged 38.0 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the norm.

Sunshine totaled 58% of the possible sunshine hours, 8 points above the norm. This is also 18 points above last year. We had 6 days with virtually no sun, and only 9 days had over 90% sunshine.

Precipitation totaled 4.56 inches, which is 0.23 inches above normal. This is 3.57 inches less than April 2007 in East Wareham. We had measurable precipitation on 12 days. The largest 24-hour rainfall was 1.96 inches on the 29 th. The highest rainfall in one storm was 2.21 inches, over a two-day period. Year-to-date rainfall for 2008 stands at 18.17 inches; this is 1.47 inches above normal and 2.45 inches below the year to date rainfall at this point in 2007. We had a 16-day period with less then 0.1 inches of rain and the dew points were very low, creating several nights of frost conditions on cranberry bogs.

In the past 10 years, we averaged 32.35 inches of snowfall during the winter season. Snowfall recorded during the winter season of 2007-2008 in East Wareham was only 28.94 inches, 3.41 inches below the average.

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.

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