March 2010: Once in a lifetime

It looks like March is ready to challenge some long held records in Minnesota.

Temperature:

So far the average monthly temperature for the Twin Cities is running about 39 degrees. With temperatures early next week expected to run 10 to 15+ degrees above average, that number will move up by month's end Wednesday. That should put this March in the top 5 warmest for March temperatures on record. Here are the top 10 warmest average monthly temperatures on record for the month of March for the Twin Cities.

10 WARMEST

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45.0...1910

42.4...1946

41.1...2000

40.2...1973

39.8...1945

39.0...1918

38.8...1968

38.7...1987

38.0...1938

37.7...1981

Snowfall:

It also appears likely we will get through the month of March without any measureable snowfall for most Minnesota locations. This has not occurred in the Twin Cities since pioneer records were kept back in 1878 and 1860. A snowless March has never been recorded in modern records for the Twin Cities (1891-2010). It appears we may have the first March without measureable snowfall in 132 years! That is truly a once in a lifetime event.

10 LEAST SNOW

0.1...1981

0.3...1925

0.4...1895/1931/1973

0.7...1945

0.8...1968

0.9...1910

1.0...1905/1921/2000

1.4...1922

1.5...1902/1919/1946/2009

1.8...1930

March is on average the second snowiest month in Minnesota with an average snowfall of about 10" in the metro.

Other area cities have also been largely snow free this month.

City/Total snowfall though March 26

-------------------------------------

Internat. Falls .2

St. Cloud 0

Duluth T

Rochester 0

Fargo T

Grand Forks T

La Crosse 0

Sioux Falls .5

After a few showers Saturday and a slim chance of a few snowflakes, it appears temperatures are ready to soar again to close the month of March. We may even push 70 degrees by Wednesday March 31st to send the month off on a high note.

Forecast modles show temps pushing 70 by late week.

(click on image for a bigger picture)

NOAA CPC 6-10 day outlook highlights above average temps.

Enjoy!

PH