Monthly Summary: February 2003

We did not know that Punxsutawney Phil was quite serious on February 2^nd, 2003 when he predicted 6 more weeks of winter.

The first week of the month began with the passage of a low-pressure system that brought about a tenth of rain throughout the western half of Pennsylvania. On the 4^th, an occluded front associated with a well-developed low-pressure system brought several tenths of rain throughout the state and raised temperatures into the upper forties and lower fifties for two days. The high temperature for the state was recorded on the 4^th; it was 56 at the Uniontown Sewage Plant. These unseasonably warm temperatures were about to disappear for the quite awhile, however. The clearing from a high-pressure system over the area allowed the surface to cool and high temperatures plunged into the mid twenties, while the low temperatures went to the single digits, on the 6^th. These cold conditions relented on the 7^th when a high-pressure and then a low-pressure system moved through the Commonwealth. The resulting precipitation covered the southeastern part of the state with several inches of snow. 7 inches were observed in Philadelphia. However, on the 8^th, cold weather returned as high-pressure moved in from the Gulf States. Low temperatures dropped into the single-digits as the clear skies allowed heat to escape the land.

The cold temperatures persisted as the second week of February 2003 began. The state extreme low of –14 degrees was observed in Oswayo, Pennsylvania on the 11th. This was the result of the encroachment of a high-pressure system and then a cold front quick on the high pressure’s heels. These cold temperatures continued through Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, in the Gulf States, two areas of low-pressure were forming and setting on a course for Pennsylvania. On the 15^th, and on its way north to Pennsylvania, these areas combined into one well-developed low-pressure system.

Sunday, February 16^th and Monday, February 17^th, President’s Day 2003, this system reached Central Pennsylvania and covered the region with a foot and a half of snow. Near Johnstown, the snowfall total exceeded 2 feet. In addition, most of the entire East Coast suffered just as much wintry weather as the system broke back into two low-pressure systems and traveled up the Atlantic Coast over the next two days.

Warmer temperatures arrived February 21^st and 22^nd with the passage of a warm front. Highs stayed in the mid forties throughout the Commonwealth. On the 23^rd, nearly 2 inches of liquid precipitation fell in Philadelphia as the result of a cold front. Temperatures returned to normal when a cold front came through on the 24^th. High pressure and normal conditions brought the month to a close.

-Lorri Bazzel

February 2003 Extreme Weather Data

		Town(s)	Date(s)
Max High Temp	56	Uniontown Sewage Plant	4
Min Low Temp	-14	Oswayo	11
Max Rain	7.29	Philadelphia Franklin Institute
Min Rain	0.54	New Stanton
Greatest Snow	65	Buckstown