Monthly Summary: April 2003

With high temperatures just above freezing, April 2003 began chilly. The state extreme low temperature of 7 degrees Fahrenheit was observed in Montrose on this day. In addition to the cold temperatures, the last snow of the spring also fell south of Pittsburgh. This inch of snow was a result of a weak low-pressure system. Fortunately, on the 2^nd, a warm front came through the Commonwealth from the west and raised high temperatures into the mid sixties. By the 3^rd, above normal temperatures, some as high as 80, were observed. The occluded front that brought these warmer temperatures stalled over Pennsylvania, and the kept the area unseasonably warm through the 4^th. Temperatures returned to normal and precipitation fell with the passage of a warm and cold front associated with a low-pressure system that came from the Central Plains. On the 6^th, another weakening low-pressure system to the west of Pennsylvania caused overcast skies and several tenths of rain in the western and central portions of the state. The passage of the system on the 7^th reduced the temperatures to below normal. Highs were only in the low 40’s in the western half of Pennsylvania, while they were near freezing in east. Rain and cold weather persisted another day.

On the 9^th, high pressure moved over the state to bring warmer, but slightly below normal, temperatures. A couple of tenths of rain in the east were observed because of a low-pressure system moving up the Atlantic Coast. Seasonal temperatures finally returned to the entire state on April 11^th because of a high-pressure system north of Pennsylvania. However, these warmer temperatures were not pleasant because overcast skies and rain associated with the coastal low persisted until the 12^th as the low moved up the Atlantic Coast.

Finally, on the 13^th, the coastal low moved away and high-pressure moved over the area. Unseasonably warm temperatures, dry weather, and clearer skies remained until the 17^th. Then, starting late the 16^th, a cold front from the north caused small amounts of precipitation to fall throughout the Commonwealth for several days as the low-pressure system the cold front was associated with stalled south of Pennsylvania. This system caused temperatures to fall back to normal on the 18^th and 19^th.

Temperatures warmed to above normal as a warm front approached from the west. Several tenths of rain fell and temperatures fell to normal on the 21^st and 22^nd as that low-pressure system moved east through Pennsylvania. Clearer skies prevailed as high pressure moved in from the west on the 24^th. Temperatures increased and small amounts of rain fell again as a warm front entered the state from the south on the 25^th. Clear skies and warm weather returned, briefly, on the 27^th and 28^th as high pressure dominated the Commonwealth. The month ended with cloudy skies and trace amounts of precipitation as an occluded front from the west passed on the 29^th.

-Lorri Bazzel

April 2003 Extreme Weather Data

		Town(s)	Date(s)
Max High Temp	88	Franklin Institute	16
		Springtown	17
		Bear Gap Treatment plant	17
		West Chester	17
Min Low Temp	7	Montrose	1
Max Rain	4.13	Pine Grove State Park
Min Rain	0.81	Rolling Rock Farms
Greatest Snow	9	Susquehanna