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2005 Rollercoaster Ride

Dr. David A. Robinson
New Jersey State Climatologist
Center for Environmental Prediction, Cook College/NJAES, Rutgers University

January 1, 2006

After what had been a rather tranquil period of near normal conditions in 2004, this past year has often been anything but. The following are just a few of the highlights from this active year.

Winter 04-05 is the 3rd consecutive one with above average snowfall over most of NJ.

Major storm on January 22-23 dumps more than 10" of snow over much of the state.

Snows and rains of late March and early April lead to 3rd highest Delaware River flood crest on record at some locations. Other rivers experience severe flooding.

A cool late spring, with May the 5th coolest on record (since 1895).

Hottest summer (June-August) on record.

Six consecutive months with above normal temperatures (June-November).

August and September combined are the warmest and driest on record.

October is the wettest month on record (statewide average precipitation of 11.96", some areas measure 18"), surpassing August 1955.

Three of the past four years have had an early December snowstorm (also in 2002, 2003). Very unusual occurrence of three measurable snow events in some parts of the state in the first 9 days of the month.

2005 likely to be one of the 10 warmest on record.


Past Climate Summaries