How is this March Shaping Up?

Cherry Blossoms in full splendor, Bethesda, MD  (March 2016)

One of March’s hallmarks is highly variable weather across the United States.  Such has been the case in 2016 with a wide assortment of weather nationally – as well as in the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Although measureable snow occurred on March 4, this month has largely been warmer than average which has helped the cherry blossoms bloom more quickly.  Washingtonians are largely thrilled the world-famous cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin are reaching peak bloom more than a week earlier than average (April 4).

According to the National Park Service, the cherry blossoms reach “peak bloom” when at least 70% are in full bloom.  Once they reach peak bloom, favorable weather for longer lasting cherry blossoms include light winds and cool temperatures.  Warm temperatures and windy conditions are not conducive for long lasting blossoms.  Peak bloom is expected this weekend which would be more than two weeks earlier than last year.

While this month has been warmer than average in the Nation’s Capital, other parts of the country have seen more dramatic weather.  The National Weather Service measured 13.1 inches of snow at Denver International Airport on March 23 – just a day after they had a high temperature of 73 degrees.  March is Denver’s snowiest month on average so that much snow isn’t as unusual as it is dramatic only a day after temperatures in the 70s. 

Although Washington, DC has not seen as dramatic a shift in temperatures this month as in Denver, the major shift in the Nation’s Capital has been between average temperatures this month compared to March 2015.  By comparison, March 2016 is poised to finish as one of the top five warmest March’s on record in Washington, D.C. 

In addition to warmer than average weather and prodigious snowfall in spots, this month has also had severe weather.  Although the United States doesn’t typically see as much severe weather in March as in April, May and June, it does still occur.  Such was the case on March 15 when an estimated 15 tornadoes touched down in Illinois and Iowa.  The DC Metro Region occasionally has severe weather in March as was the case in 2011.  The major weather story in the DC Metro Region this weekend will be the cherry blossoms reaching their peak bloom along the Tidal Basin.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs through April 17.

Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates for Last Ten Years (U.S. National Park Service)

2015: April 10
2014: April 10
2013: April 9
2012: March 20
2011: March 29

2010: March 31
2009: April 1
2008: March 29
2007: April 1
2006: March 30