Changing Seasons

NOAA's Temperature Outlook for March

Being the first month of meteorological spring, March often features diverse weather.  That’s especially true in the Mid-Atlantic Region.  The Nation’s Capital has seen two different seasons during just the last week.  

The high temperature in Washington, D.C. reached 80 degrees this past Wednesday, March 1.  Not only was that the warmest day since last November, but it was also the first March day at or above 80 degrees in nearly five years (since March 23, 2012).  Moreover, 80 degrees isn’t even the average high temperature in Washington, D.C. until May 31.  Such warmth was short-lived, though, as a powerful cold front passed through the DC Metro Area Wednesday afternoon.

NOAA data shows this cold front was responsible for over 1,400 cases of severe weather in the United States from February 28 – March 1.  In the Mid-Atlantic Region, there were dozens of severe weather reports on March 1.  A “severe” thunderstorm is a storm that contains any of the following: 1) hail 1” in diameter or greater, 2) wind gusts 58 mph or greater, or 3) a tornado.  Severe thunderstorms often involve more than one of these things.

Following this powerful cold front, the Mid-Atlantic Region experienced a major change in weather pattern.  This weekend has been the coldest weekend in Washington, D.C. since late January with below average temperatures.  The high temperature of 44 degrees on Friday and Saturday is more characteristic of late January.  In the span of a few days, Washingtonians have experienced a range in temperatures more commonly seen over a period of several months (January through May). 

Today’s high temperature in the Nation’s Capital is expected to remain below average in the 40s.  That would make today the third consecutive day in the 40s and longest such stretch since January 27-30.  That’s a far cry from the cold and snowy weather of recent Marchs, such as the 4.8” of snow at National Airport two years ago today.  Fortunately for those eager for spring-like weather, NOAA’s temperature outlook for the next several weeks calls for a high probability of warmer than average temperatures.