[7 Wishes]

Well, the numbers are in!

Bridgeport/Sikorsky blew the old March record of 43.0 in 1979 out of the water finishing the month at 47.1. Granted, they started recording weather in 1948, I'll always wonder what they recorded in 1945 and 1946, two back-to-back Marches that in Central Park (more below) were far warmer than any other March before or since (until this year).

Central Park still had a shot at topping 1945 as it was still at 51.2 (0.1 above the 1945 record) at the beginning of yesterday, but yesterday's very cold rain (high 43 (and that was at 11:59pm) and low of 38) brought it down to 50.9 and a big #2 all-time (1946 was 49.8)! They also had their first completely snowless March since 1903! (Bridgeport recorded a T on March 2)

An interesting side note, CPK despite yesterday's rain finished with 0.96" of precipitation which still made for the 4th driest March (2006, 1885 and 19966 were the top 3). This is the first time since Feb. 2009 that less than an inch fell in a month and only the fourth time in the last 10 years (Sept. 2005 and March 2006). Feb. came close to doing this too (1.37"), the last time CPK had back-to-back months of under 1" of rain was in June and July of 1999). Bridgeport had 1.17" in March if you're curious.

[Cambium]

Sure, why not. One more. Tolland, CT. 2" March 31, 2012. Looks like models were right so to speak with northern counties higher elevations.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

Well, the numbers are in!

Bridgeport/Sikorsky blew the old March record of 43.0 in 1979 out of the water finishing the month at 47.1. Granted, they started recording weather in 1948, I'll always wonder what they recorded in 1945 and 1946, two back-to-back Marches that in Central Park (more below) were far warmer than any other March before or since (until this year).

Central Park still had a shot at topping 1945 as it was still at 51.2 (0.1 above the 1945 record) at the beginning of yesterday, but yesterday's very cold rain (high 43 (and that was at 11:59pm) and low of 38) brought it down to 50.9 and a big #2 all-time (1946 was 49.8)!

I think Hartford had its all time warmest March. I haven't had a chance to check all the numbers yet. I've been stuck in snow mode. :-)

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by Cambium

I think Hartford had its all time warmest March. I haven't had a chance to check all the numbers yet. I've been stuck in snow mode. :-)

Ironically, regarding Central Park's 4th driest March, the wettest March occurred just 2 years ago!

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

Ironically, regarding Central Park's 4th driest March, the wettest March occurred just 2 years ago!

Extremes! Nice to see my thinking is playing out regarding extremes happening quicker now. Just wait until its gets to be months apart instead of years.

I always appreciate your stats and stories. Thanks!

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

Well, the numbers are in!

Bridgeport/Sikorsky blew the old March record of 43.0 in 1979 out of the water finishing the month at 47.1. Granted, they started recording weather in 1948, I'll always wonder what they recorded in 1945 and 1946, two back-to-back Marches that in Central Park (more below) were far warmer than any other March before or since (until this year).

Central Park still had a shot at topping 1945 as it was still at 51.2 (0.1 above the 1945 record) at the beginning of yesterday, but yesterday's very cold rain (high 43 (and that was at 11:59pm) and low of 38) brought it down to 50.9 and a big #2 all-time (1946 was 49.8)! They also had their first completely snowless March since 1903! (Bridgeport recorded a T on March 2)

An interesting side note, CPK despite yesterday's rain finished with 0.96" of precipitation which still made for the 4th driest March (2006, 1885 and 19966 were the top 3). This is the first time since Feb. 2009 that less than an inch fell in a month and only the fourth time in the last 10 years (Sept. 2005 and March 2006). Feb. came close to doing this too (1.37"), the last time CPK had back-to-back months of under 1" of rain was in June and July of 1999). Bridgeport had 1.17" in March if you're curious.

You beat me to it…I just got up and was looking at the numbers;

NWS Bridgeport did indeed smash the 1979 record for the warmest March. My guess is that if 1945-1946 were included, it might end close to a three way tie. You’re right, though, what made 1945- 1946 so amazing was that they were back to back. As far as Central Park…they cold/rainy day yesterday sealed their fate. Still, the second warmest March in 144 years is nothing to sneeze at either. The drought at many of the area NWS stations is no less important; March 2012 was bone dry (I really can’t remember even a single day looking out the window at home or office and seeing wet roads, though I know it must have happened). You mention it was the first time since Feb. 2009 that less than an inch fell - I assume this is for the cold season months only (I didn’t check that one yet). March 2012 will long be remembered for its warm temps and dry weather.

Otherwise, as far as the weather, this week looks like much more typical early Spring weather for the Tri-State area. Some showers will roll through tonight, then skies will clear out. Although we should have more seasonal temps this week, it still looks very dry for the most part. In fact, NWS has only a slight chance of precip on Tue night. So we should expect warm temps and dry weather this week:

NWS New York, NY
Point Forecast: New Haven CT
41.34°N 72.94°W

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

[GraniteStater]

You want chilly? Try 21F this morning in Merrimack county, NH. I think even CT will see more frosts and freezes with the prevailing NW flow pattern. Northern New England should see lows mainly in the 20s. Growing season will likely commence in May again after the ending of the blowtorch Summer-like weather in March.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by wavehunter007

You mention it was the first time since Feb. 2009 that less than an inch fell - I assume this is for the cold season months only (I didn’t check that one yet). March 2012 will long be remembered for its warm temps and dry weather.

No that's for all months! Since 2001 less than an inch of rain in a calendar month has been a quite rare feat!

[Cambium]

NWS Boston.

Hartford: Last 2 years in the Top 5 for Warmest March.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

You want chilly? Try 21F this morning in Merrimack county, NH. I think even CT will see more frosts and freezes with the prevailing NW flow pattern. Northern New England should see lows mainly in the 20s. Growing season will likely commence in May again after the ending of the blowtorch Summer-like weather in March.

Yeah, the pattern change was becoming apparent couple weeks ago with how the systems were moving in from Canada and how deep the trough was getting. Now we got blocking setting up finally and so the trough will last longer than the warmth.

Garden on hold for now. Tomatoes getting big already.