Randy Mann: A look back at 2013’s Inland Northwest weather

Last year was another year of weather extremes across the globe.

The year ended on a dry note in the Inland Northwest, as only 11.36 inches of rain and melted snow fell at the Spokane International Airport. The annual average is 16.56 inches.

The dry weather has been caused by a huge high pressure system along the West Coast. This same ridge has also brought extreme drought conditions to the southern two-thirds of California over the past year. During fall, the high pressure system expanded northward into the Gulf of Alaska, bringing us drier-than-normal weather and sending all the precipitation and extreme weather to the east of us.

Last year started off chilly, with average January temperatures 5 degrees below normal. The coldest day that month was Jan. 21, with a low of 4 degrees. February and March were near normal in terms of temperature, but precipitation was well below average.

April and May had temperatures close to normal, but precipitation continued to be well below average levels. However, June’s rainfall finally reversed the drier trend, at least temporarily, as 1.86 inches fell, compared to a normal of 1.25 inches.

July and August had very warm to hot temperatures. The hottest day was July 1, with a high of 99 degrees. Only a trace of moisture was measured in July while rainfall was slightly above normal in August. Temperatures climbed to above-normal levels in September, and precipitation totals were also higher than average.

October turned a little cooler and much drier as only 0.09 inches of rain fell compared to a normal of 1.18 inches. November and December were also drier than normal thanks to the strong high pressure ridge over the western U.S. The coldest day was Dec. 8, with a low of minus-2 degrees.