March - Mild and Missing Snow

March was up to 8°F warmer than normal in the Northeast.

March average temperatures ranged from near normal to 8°F above normal across the Northeast. At the region’s 35 major sites, March average temperatures ranged from 1.7°F above normal in Portland, ME, to 7.7°F above normal in Pittsburgh, PA, with this March among the 20 warmest for 34 of the sites.

This March ranked among the 20 warmest Marches for 34 of the 35 major sites in the Northeast.

March precipitation ranged from 25% of normal to 200% of normal.

March precipitation varied, ranging from 25% of normal to 200% of normal. The driest locations were generally found in interior areas from West Virginia to central New York, while the wettest locations were generally in northern New England. March precipitation at the Northeast’s 35 major sites ranged from 37% of normal in Charleston, WV, to 142% of normal in Caribou, ME, with 19 of the sites wrapping up the month on the dry side of normal. This March ranked among the 20 driest Marches on record for seven sites but among the 20 wettest for four other sites.

This March was among the 20 driest for seven sites but among the 20 wettest for four other sites.

March snowfall ranged from more than 12 inches below normal to near normal.

Almost the entire Northeast saw below-normal snowfall in March, with the largest deficits exceeding 12 inches. At the region’s 35 major sites, March snowfall ranged from 13.9 inches below normal in Rochester, NY, to 1.0 inch above normal in Caribou, ME, the lone site to see a surplus. This March was the least snowy on record for 16 major sites; however, it should be noted that in most cases, this year was tied with multiple other years. Interestingly, it was the first time on record that Allentown, PA, did not see even a trace of snow during March. In addition, this March ranked among the 20 least snowy for another 12 major sites.

This March was the least snowy on record for 16 sites (tying multiple other years) and ranked among the 20 least snowy for another 12 sites.

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, there are no clear climate signals to sway the precipitation and temperature outlooks one way or the other for most of the Northeast for April. This resulted in a forecast of equal chances of below-, near-, or above-normal precipitation and temperatures for almost the entire region. However, there was a slight tilt toward above-normal precipitation for some western parts of West Virginia and a slight tilt toward above-normal temperatures for that state’s southeastern corner.

Much of the Northeast falls into the “equal chances” category for both precipitation and temperature this April. Click to enlarge.