Turning the Corner

 

Having finished 1.2° colder than average, February 2021 was DC’s first colder than average February since 2015.  It was also a wetter than average month with measurable precipitation on 15 days that produced a monthly rainfall surplus of 2.04”.  Last month also had below average snowfall in the Nation’s Capital.  That’s a relatively rare combination with only two prior occurrences over the last 20 years, in 2004 and 2013.

Now that March is underway, meteorological spring has arrived and runs through May 31.  Average high/low temperatures in the Nation’s Capital rise significantly this month from 51°/34° on March 1 to 61°/42° on March 31.  DC’s hottest March temperature on record of 93° occurred on March 23, 1907.  By comparison, DC’s coldest March temperature was 4° on March 4, 1873. 

Eleven of the last 20 March’s have been warmer than average in the Nation’s Capital.  However, hidden in that near 50/50 split are some key extremes.  March 2012, for example, was DC’s warmest March on record.  On the other hand, March 2014 was DC’s snowiest since 1960 and coldest since 1996.  Dulles Airport also had its snowiest March on record in 2014. 

March has also been DC’s snowiest month of the year five times since 2008.  That should give hope to DC Area winter weather enthusiasts disappointed by how the 2020-2021 winter has had below average snowfall.  The Nation’s Capital averages 1.3” of snow during the month of March and seven of the last 20 have been snowier than average.  However, accumulating snowfall gets increasingly difficult as March wears on due to rising average daily temperatures and the increasing sun angle.

Following a colder than average February, most Washingtonians will be pleased with NOAA’s forecast for a warmer than average March.  Their Climate Prediction Center also believes there is an equal chance of above or below average precipitation.  Following the high number of rainy days last month, many DC residents should be pleased with an average amount of March rainfall (3.48”).