March continued our below normal precipitation trend. The area had no measurable snowfall for the month and well below precipitation. In spite of the last week of the month being cooler than normal, we ended up with normal average temperatures for March.

The average daily high during March was 54.8, 0.9 degrees below normal. The average overnight low was 32.9, 1 degree above normal. This resulted in a monthly mean temperature of 43.9, one tenth of a degree above normal. The warmest temperature for the month was 77 degrees on the 15th. The coldest temperature for the month was 19 degrees on the morning of the 7th. There were no temperature records set or tied during March. The warmest March on record was in 2012 when we had a monthly mean temperature of 57.5. The coldest March on record was in that very snow winter of 1959/60. In March of 1960 the monthly mean temperature was a very cold 31.3 degrees. Perception frequently creates reality and we usually remember that last year or two and then that becomes our perception of normal. March of 2017 was the fifth warmest March on record and March of 2016 was our third warmest March on record. When you look at the six warmest March’s on record, five of them have occurred in the past 15 years. These recent warm March’s made this year’s “average” March seem cold in comparison.

Two rain events in mid and late March brought the only measurable precipitation to the area for the month of March. While not enough to help current soil moisture deficits, they were sufficient to “settle the dust” and lower the wildfire risk potential which had been very high. Normal March precipitation is 2.34 inches with average snowfall of 3.1 inches. No snow was recorded for the area during the month. Season to date the region has received 7.7 inches of snow which is only 45% of normal. Junction City received 0.64 inches of rain during the month and Milford Lake has received 0.73 inches. Year to date Milford Lake has received 1.65 inches and Junction City 1.71 inches. Normal year to date precipitation is 4.11 inches. The driest March on record was in 1966 and 1968 when no precipitation was recorded. The wettest March on record was in 1974 when 8.04 inches of precipitation was recorded.

We generally think of April as bringing us springtime with April showers, blooming flowers and the smell of freshly cut grass. Average daily high temperatures in April start the month at 62 and climb steadily to a month ending daily high of 72. Overnight lows begin on April Fool’s Day at 37 and by the end of the month reach 48. April also brings us our average last frost of the season. The average last frost date is April 14th, but can easily range into early May so gardeners don’t be in a hurry to get your tomatoes planted! While everyone talks about April showers, April average precipitation isn’t much higher than March precipitation. Long term average April rainfall is 2.95 inches. Snow isn’t out of the question in April, as we’ve already seen. Long term average April snowfall is about three quarters of an inch. Snow can even occasionally linger into early May.

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