Midwest Overview - March, 2003

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Climatological spring began this March considerably drier and cooler than normal, but evolved to a warmer and wetter state by the end of the month. Precipitation totals of more than 2 inches were observed in two bands, one from central Missouri to southern Indiana and another from northwestern Iowa to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Figure 1). However, large sections of the Midwest, including drought affected areas, received less than normal precipitation amounts, including parts of southern Iowa, southeastern Missouri, and southern Kentucky that received less than 50% of normal (Figure 2). Kentucky went from its 11th wettest February to its 11th driest March. Snow fall was common in the northern third of the region, with some areas of the UP of Michigan receiving copious amounts for the time of year (Figure 3). Ironwood, MI, reported more than 50 inches of snow in March. The combination of a cold first half of March, and a warm second half ending with a quick cold spell brought most of the regional to near-normal temperatures for the month, with the largest negative departures (-3 to -5°F) in the north and largest positive departures (+2 to 4°F) in the southeast (Figure 4). The Midwest had its 25th driest and 47th warmest March since 1895. Drought conditions remain a major concern in the Corn Belt at the end of March (Figure 5), National Drought Mitigation Center), and the latest U.S. Drought Outlook indicates a likelihood of drought continuing in this crucial agricultural region (Figure 6, Climate Prediction Center).