More Warmth but More Snow (For Some)
March 1-15 average temperatures ranged from 2°F below normal to 6°F above normal.
Most of the Northeast was warmer than normal during the first half of March, with average temperatures ranging from within 2°F of normal to 6°F above normal. The largest departures above normal were generally in northern New England. March 1-15 average temperatures at the 35 major climate sites ranged from 1.0°F below normal in Rochester, NY, to 5.6°F above normal in Caribou, ME, with 31 sites falling on the warm side of normal. This March 1-15 period period ranked among the 20 warmest on record for four major climate sites.
This March 1-15 period ranked among the 20 warmest on record for four major climate sites.
March 1-15 precipitation ranged from 25% of normal to more than 200% of normal.
Precipitation during the first half of March ranged from 25% of normal in parts of West Virginia, Maryland, and Maine to more than 200% of normal in parts of New York, southern New England, Vermont, and New Hampshire. March 1-15 precipitation at the 35 major climate sites ranged from 38% of normal in Washington, D.C., to 234% of normal in Albany, NY. Of the 21 wetter-than-normal sites, 11 experienced one of their 20 wettest March 1-15 periods. Meanwhile, this March 1-15 period ranked among the 20 driest on record for three of the 14 drier-than-normal sites.
This March 1-15 period ranked among the 20 driest for three major climate sites but among the 20 wettest for 11 of the sites.
March 1-15 snowfall ranged from 6 inches below normal to more than 12 inches above normal.
Snowfall during the first half of March ranged from 6 inches below normal to more than 12 inches above normal, with the greatest surpluses generally in eastern New York and portions of New England. At the 35 major climate sites March 1-15 snowfall ranged from 4.6 inches below normal in Beckley, WV, and Boston, MA, to 13.2 inches above normal in Albany, NY, with 22 sites seeing below-normal snowfall. However, this March 1-15 period ranked among the 20 snowiest on record for six major climate sites, thanks largely to a mid-month nor’easter that dropped feet of snow on parts of New York and New England.
This March 1-15 period ranked among the 20 snowiest on record for six major climate sites.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is calling for an increased chance of above-normal temperatures for the entire Northeast for April. Portions of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania could be wetter than normal, while equal chances of below-, near-, or above-normal precipitation were forecast for the rest of the region.
April is expected to average out to be warmer than normal in the Northeast.
Areas shaded green such as western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania could be wetter than normal for April.