December & Annual 2011 Weather Stats for Grand Rapids | News

Grand Rapids (WZZM) -

The month of December was much warmer and a little sunnier than the average, while there was much less snowfall than usual; nonetheless, the month ended up with near-average precipitation.  The year 2011 was also warmer, much wetter and a little sunnier than a typical year.

Temperatures for the month averaged 35.0°F, 5.8°F above average, making it the seventh warmest December on record (based on data from 1870-2011), and 7.6°F warmer than last year (27.4°F).  Twenty-six days were warmer than usual, three were cooler and two were considered average.  The highest temperature occurred on December 15 with 57°F while the lowest temperature occurred on December 10 with 17°F.  The annual temperature for 2011 was 49.9°F, 0.8°F above average, but 1.2° cooler than 2010 (51.1°F).

Precipitation was slightly above average last month with 2.59", 0.09" more than usual and 0.81" more than last year (1.78").  There were fifteen days with measurable precipitation, which is one day less than usual (16).  Precipitation for 2011 totaled 45.09", 6.82" above average, making it the 8^th wettest year on record (based on data from 1870-2011), and 9.22" more than last year (35.87").

Snowfall in December amounted to 4.5", 17.4" less than usual, making it the 9^th lightest on record, and 6.9" less than last year (11.4").  Snowfall for the winter season last year (2010-11) amounted to 74.0", 0.9" less than average.

There was 24.7% of the possible sunshine last month, 5.3% more than usual and 7.0% more than last year (17.7%).  There was one clear day - one less than average (2), seven partly cloudy days - three more than usual (4), and twenty-three cloudy days - two fewer than average (25).  Sunshine in 2011 amounted to 49.6%, 2.6% above average but 2.2% less than 2010 (51.8%).

Wind records:  NW wind gust to 40 mph on December 27 tied the record wind gust of 40 mph set in 1985.