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Northeast Regional Climate Center |
Temperatures for February 2001 averaged 3.2 degrees above normal for the region, making it the 6th straight February that was above normal. However, it was the coolest February since 1996. With the exception of Vermont, all of the New England states averaged less than 2.0 degrees above normal. In the southern portion of the region, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware averaged 5.2, 4.4, and 4.3 degrees above normal for the month, respectively.
Precipitation for the month totaled just 2.07 inches area-wide, which represented 77% of the normal amount. This was the driest February since 1991, when precipitation averaged just 1.72 inches. Despite a nor'easter in early February, precipitation in southern New England represented less than 70% of the normal amount, with Rhode Island receiving only 56% of normal. Vermont was the only state in the region with above normal precipitation. They recorded 2.64 inches of precipitation, or 115% of the normal amount. This was the 4th month out of the past five months with below normal precipitation.
Monthly Summary of State Temperature and Precipitation Averages.