Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte says there is just no way to sugar coat it. February was cold.

There was not a lot of snowfall during the month, which was basically dry.

Otte reported the average daily high was 37.6 in February, 6.7 degrees below normal. The average overnight low was 17.9,  4 degrees below normal.  That provided a monthly mean temperature of 27.7, 5.4 degrees below normal. The highest temperature for the month was 73 on the 7th, and the lowest 3 degrees on the 1st. The 73 degree reading on the 7th broke old record high for that date of 60 degrees set in 2009.

While it was cold, it wasn’t as cold as last year, 25.3 monthly mean temperature, and quite a bit warmer than the record cold February of 1979 with a monthly mean temperature of 17.6.

March generally brings warmer temperatures and a noticeable increase in precipitation.  Average daily highs for the month range from 49 on the 1st to 61 on the 31st. Overnight lows rise from 25 to an above freezing 37 by the end of the month.

The average last frost date is April 15, and the frost free date is about May 10.

There can be snowfall in March. Long term average March snowfall is 3.1 inches and average liquid precipitation for the month is 2.34 inches. March can also bring the start of the severe storm season.