March 2018
Monthly Overview - March 2018
Slightly Cool Temperatures
Despite a warm first week of March, the monthly averaged temperatures were either near or below normal across the region
(Figure 1). Temperatures were near normal for two swaths, one across the northern states and another along the western and southern borders of the region. Monthly temperatures were 2°F to 3°F below normal in Ohio, Indiana, and much of Illinois, along with smaller parts of the remaining states. Minimum temperatures for the month averaged within a couple degrees of normal across the region (Figure 2). Maximum temperatures showed bigger departures from normal
(Figure 3). The coolest locations for maximum temperatures departures were eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and northeastern Ohio where temperatures were as much as 5°F below normal. Many other areas, including parts of every state except Wisconsin, were 3°F or 4°F below normal for maximum temperatures. .
Widely Varying Precipitation
March precipitation totals ranged from less a half inch in northeastern Minnesota to more than 6.00 inches in southern Illinois and central Kentucky (Figure 4). Viewed as a percent of the mean precipitation (Figure 5), totals were less than 25% of normal, and even less than 10% of normal in isolated pockets, in northeastern Minnesota. Totals were less than half of normal in northwestern Missouri, northeastern Minnesota, and big parts of both Wisconsin and Michigan. On the wet side of things, northwestern Minnesota and southern Illinois both had areas with more than 175% of normal. Areas receiving 125% of normal touched seven Midwest states only missing Wisconsin and Michigan.
March snowfall also varied from nothing in southwestern Missouri to nearly two feet in western Minnesota (Figure 6). Most of the Midwest was below normal for the month but a swath of above average snow extended from Minnesota to Kentucky
(Figure 7). A large part of Minnesota had more than the normal snowfall for March. Although the swath narrowed across Iowa and Illinois, totals were more than double normal in the swath. The 10" plus snow total in northern Kentucky was more than seven times normal for March snowfall in that area. Most of Kentucky, the southern half of Indiana, and the southwestern corner of Ohio had at least double the normal snow total for the month. Snow totals were also well above normal in the thumb of Michigan and in northeastern Ohio. Snow fell in several events spread through the month with most not being terribly widespread.
Drought Eases
Drought in the Midwest covered just over 4% of the region as of February 27th (Figure 8). The percentage dropped below 3% the following week and continued to just over 2.5% of the region by March 27th
(Figure 9). Areas noted as abnormally dry also decreased during March (Figure 10).
Flooding Eases, Then Returns
February flooding eased into early March with major flooding on the lower Mississippi being the last to ease. Rains in the last week of March brought flooding concerns back to the region. Heavy rains in the southern sections of the Midwest brought parts of the Ohio River Valley above flood stage. Minor to moderate flooding was reported in late March on the Wabash River with flooding expected to continue into early April.
Spring Planting On Hold
Several factors have played a role in spring planting being off to a slow start in 2018. Very wet conditions in the eastern half of the region were preventing field work. Also the cool weather has kept soil temperatures down, another reason many have held off planting. As fields dry and soils warm, planting will get underway quickly across the region.
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