Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Weather Near Normal For April

April was pretty close to normal in the area of rainfall.

According to John W. Teeter, local meteorologist, the area saw 5.37 inches of wet stuff during the month, while the normal amount is 5.25 inches. This gives Prescott a 0.12 inch surplus for the month.

For the year, Teeter said, the surplus is at 5.80 inches. The average amount for this time of year is 18.55 inches, while 24.44 inches of rain has fallen.

It only rained seven days in April, with the largest single day amount being 1.99 inches on Tax Day, April 15.

The average daily temperature, he said, was 65 degrees even, or 1.1 degrees above the norm of 63.9 degrees.

"We usually experience seven watches or warnings in April," Teeter said. "This year we recorded only two. The watch on the 26th produced strong winds and one tornado.

"Tree, roof and chicken house damage occurred during this storm. Winds were reported in the 60 to 80 mile per hour range. I measured only 30 mph with my hand held wind gauge at the station."

The high temperature for the month was a balmy 86 degrees on April 24.

On the flip side, the month's low was a chilly 36 degrees on April 17, 18. These two days with 36 degree readings, along with a 38 degree low on April 16 and a 37 degree mark on April 19 are records for these days only.

Looking at May, the average rainfall for the fifth month of the year is 5.10 inches, with an averaged daily temperature of 71.4 degrees.

There are usually eight watches or warnings during May, Teeter said.

May, he continued, has experienced the largest number of watches since Teeter started keeping these records.

"During the past few weeks when the alarm siren is tested I have been doing some experimenting with my hearing aids during the test," he said.

"I find, here at the office at the Depot, I can hear the alarm with or without the hearing aids. But at my residence on East Elm, I cannot hear the alarm with my hearing aids removed.

"If you have a hearing problem, or have a neighbor in this situation," he continued, "I suggest you make some arrangement to be sure you or your neighbor are aware of the alarms."