March 2015 Climate Summary

...MARCH 2015 MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY...

The popular idiom regarding the month of March suggests it comes in wildly and ends peacefully. March 2015 came in with wintry weather and ended with strong and severe thunderstorms around the region, wild on both ends for Mid-South standards. From large snowfall totals to large hail, March 2015 brought a variety of weather conditions to the region.

Average temperatures for the month were between 1 and 4 degrees cooler than normal at all sites, with the exception of Tupelo. Tupelo finished the month just near normal, at only 0.1 degree warmer than normal. In addition, Tupelo had the warmest average temperature with 54.1 degrees, and recorded the warmest high temperature for the month with 82.0 degrees. With three months of the year already in the history books, Tupelo is currently 3.3 degrees below normal for 2015. Memphis had an average temperature in March of 52.7 degrees, 1.3 degrees cooler than normal, while currently 3.6 degrees cooler than normal for the year to date. Jackson had an average temperature of 49.4 degrees this month, 1.6 degrees cooler than normal. Jackson also recorded the lowest temperature of all the official sites with 3.0 degrees. So far for the year Jackson is 3.7 degrees cooler than normal. Jonesboro had the coolest average temperature for the month and also the greatest departure below normal with 46.5 degrees and 3.7 degrees, respectively. Jonesboro also holds the greatest departure from normal for the year so far at 4.9 degrees below normal for 2015.

The region began the year drier than normal, which led to much of the area being highlighted as being in drought conditions by the US Drought Monitor. All four sites finished March with above normal precipitation amounts, and the entire region has now been removed from the US Drought Monitor. Jonesboro received the most precipitation for the month, and finished the month 2.82 inches of precipitation above normal. So far for the year Jonesboro is 0.50 inches of precipitation above normal. Tupelo was next with 1.60 inches of precipitation above normal for the month, and is currently 1.32 inches of precipitation above normal for the year, making it the site with the highest departure above normal for 2015 so far. Jackson received 0.21 inches of precipitation above its normal for March, and is currently 2.14 inches behind for the year. Memphis was only 0.32 inches above normal for March, and is still 2.40 inches behind for 2015, the greatest departure of all four sites.

All sites reported measurable snowfall during the month, with Jonesboro receiving the most with 7.6 inches, 6.9 inches above normal. Jonesboro was also the site with the greatest snow depth of the month with 8 inches. Jackson received 4.4 inches of snow, 4.0 inches above normal, while Memphis received 3.6 inches, which was 3.2 inches above normal. Tupelo only recorded 0.1 inches of snow during March, which was 0.2 inches below normal for the month.

The March climate data from the four official climate sites across the Mid-South are as follows:

TEMPERATURE DATA:

 Memphis    Jackson   Jonesboro   Tupelo

Average Temperature (MONTH)  :   52.7       49.4        46.5      54.1

Normal Avg. Temp (MONTH)     :   54.0       51.0        50.2      54.0

Departure from Normal (MONTH):   -1.3       -1.6        -3.7      0.1

Average Temperature (YEAR)   :   43.3       40.1        38.2      43.9

Normal Avg. Temp (YEAR)      :   46.9       43.8        43.1      47.2

Departure from Normal (YEAR) :   -3.6       -3.7        -4.9      -3.3

Maximum Temperature          :   80.0       79.0        78.0      82.0

Minimum Temperature          :   15.0        3.0         5.0      18.0 

PRECIPITATION DATA:

                                Memphis   Jackson   Jonesboro   Tupelo

Total Precipitation (MONTH)  :   5.48       4.96        7.32      6.42

Normal Precipitation (MONTH) :   5.16       4.75        4.50      4.82

Departure from Normal (MONTH):   0.32       0.21        2.82      1.60

Total Precipitation (YEAR)   :  11.13     10.85      12.15     15.58

Normal Precipitation (YEAR)  :  13.53     12.99      11.65     14.26

Departure from Normal (YEAR) :  -2.40     -2.14        0.50      1.32

Percent of Normal            :    82%        84%        104%      109%

Total Snowfall (MONTH)       :    3.6        4.4         7.6      0.1

Normal Snowfall (MONTH)      :    0.4        0.4         0.7      0.3

Departure from Normal (MONTH):    3.2        4.0         6.9      -0.2

Greatest Snow Depth (MONTH)  :      4          4           8         T

Climate Outlook:

For the month of April, the Climate Prediction Center has forecast enhanced odds of above normal temperatures for all of the Mid-South. In addition, enhanced odds of above normal precipitation totals are also forecast for the region. The three month outlook containing the months of April, May, and June is for equal chances of above, near, and below normal temperatures, and enhanced odds of above normal precipitation totals. Should this forecast verify, this will great for removing the rainfall deficit for the year to date at Memphis and Jackson, while aiding a continual movement away from drought conditions.

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