March Weather Madness
March came in like a lion, with wind gusts over 50 mph, rain, and temperatures sinking into the low 40’s behind the front that passed through the area. Since then, we have had hardly any rain and although temperatures have warmed up to “spring-like” levels, we are still cooler than normal so far this month. Temperatures have thus far ranged from a chilly 42° to a warm 86°. For a look at what the rest of the month will generally be like, take a look at these 8-14 day outlooks that go to near the end of the month:
March is normally the second-driest month of the year with only 1.74” of rain. The wettest March ever in recorded history was 7.69” in 1903, while 1916 was the driest March on record with no rain at all recorded. Last year, in spite of being mired in the middle of one of the worst droughts in memorable history, we had .99”. I suspect that we will get at least one big rain before this month is over and March will go out like a lion as well.
Temperatures for March are extraordinary. The normal high is 76° while the normal low is 56°. 1938 was the warmest March on record with an average temperature of 72.0° while 1915 was the coldest March on record with an average temperature of only 55.9°. Temperatures have ranged from a frigid 24° in 1980 to a sizzling 102° in 1989. Perhaps the most remarkable number in March is the fact that it is home to the latest freeze in the cities recorded history. On the 31st of March 1987 the morning low was an unbelievable 30°! I don’t believe there are any more freezes in our March forecast but I do expect our temperatures to be below normal with several nights the rest of this month in the 40’s.
Stay Tuned,
Dale Nelson