U.S. Warmer, Drier in March

Despite the appearances ‘U.S. Averaged Warmer-than-Normal, Drier-than-Normal in March’

According to NOAA’s State of the Climate report the March 2010 average temperature for the contiguous United States was warmer than average.

Thirteen states recorded an average temperature that was among their 10 warmest ever for March:

• Rhode Island experienced its warmest March on record;
• Maine its second warmest for the month
• New Hampshire its third warmest

Again, despite the appearances, average precipitation for the U.S. was below normal, but heavy rainfall in parts of the Northeast set March records.

NOAA’s monthly temperature analysis are based on data recorded since 1895.

U.S. Temperature Highlights

Source: National Climatic Data Center/ NESDIS/NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

Temperature Highlights for March 2010

• March temperature average across the contiguous United States was 44.4 degrees F, some 1.9 degrees F above the long-term average. “However, several storms developed along the Atlantic Coast, bringing below-normal temperatures to the South and Southeast, while bringing warm and wet weather to the Northeast and Midwest regions (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin).”
• Thirteen states averaged temperature among their 10 warmest for March.
• Gulf Coast states, New Mexico, Georgia and South Carolina experienced cooler-than-normal temperatures. Florida recorded its fourth coolest March.
• January-March period
  • Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire: Warmest ever
  • Florida: Coldest ever
  • Louisiana: Second coldest
  • Mississippi and Alabama : Third coldest

U.S. Precipitation Highlights

Source: National Climatic Data Center/ NESDIS/NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

Precipitation Highlights for March 2010

• Average March precipitation  across the contiguous United States fell below the long-term mean (LTM). The month’s national average fell 0.24 inches below the LTM of 2.16 inches. “The Northeast was above-normal, while much of the interior United States was below-normal. All other regions were near normal.”
• January – March period
  • Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey:  Wettest on record
  • Delaware: Second wettest on record
  • Vermont:  Fifth wettest
  • Twenty other states:  Precipitation ranked among the top 10 wettest.
  • Michigan:  Driest ever January-March period
  • Wisconsin: Fourth driest
  • Montana and Wyoming: Sixth driest.

Other Highlights

• The preliminary tornado count for March was 36 – joint  4th quietest March since reliable records began in 1950,  NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center said.
• Mid-March ice coverage over the Great Lakes was at a record low, covering only 3.5 percent of the Lakes’ surface, the Canadian Ice Service said.The average ice extent for the period was estimated at 31 percent of the Lakes’ surface. The records started in 1973.
• Drought on March 30 covered about 9.0 percent of the United States, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Click image to enlarge.

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