PA WEATHER SUMMARY…MARCH 2002

 

The month of March 2002 brought some needed changes in the weather across the entire state.  Drought conditions have plagued the state, especially in eastern areas.  March was the first month since September of last year (2001) that the majority of the state received above normal precipitation amounts.  However drought watches and warnings still continue for most of Pennsylvania.  This month was especially kind to the city of Philadelphia where they received 4.03 inches of precipitation, which is 0.22 inches above normal.  Temperatures in March followed the above normal trend as old man winter was hard to be found.  State college, for example, received 2.9 inches of snow for the month.  This winter season thus far State College has only received 22.1 inches of snow; most places have been below normal in snow totals.

March started on a cold note through most of the state with Pittsburgh reaching a high of 25 and Philadelphia hitting only 42 on the 1^st.  It didn't take long for some of that warm air to get back into the area; the next three days were above normal.

The 5^th and 6^th of March were transition days from cold to warmer air masses.  A trough that was situated over Pennsylvania with colder air moved out of the area by the 7^th.  For the next three days of the month Pennsylvania basked in a warm southwesterly flow.  Pittsburgh hit 72 on the 9^th of the month.

Temperatures took a plunge on the 11^th, as a cold front which had passed the day before was followed by a cold dome of air associated with the high-pressure system (1032mb).  For the next three days all eyes were looking toward a storm system forming near the Gulf of Mexico.  This storm would move up the east coast bringing a good dose of precipitation to the area.  There was a chance for a coastal storm, however it was just too warm.

Pennsylvania once again enjoyed above normal temperatures on the 15^th and 16^th while a pretty potent Low Pressure moved toward the area from the west.  From the 17^th until the 21^st the state finally experienced a decent period of rain.  A storm located to the south near the Gulf pumped moisture right into the area.  Over that span of 4 days, Philadelphia saw well over an inch of precipitation.  After the rain finally ended across the state, the next few days were colder and dry.

The month of March concluded with one last warm spell.  From the 26^th till the 30^th the entire state enjoyed temperatures in the upper 60's and 70's.  A cold front moved through the region on the last two days of March lowering temperatures to middle and upper 50's across the state.

To sum up the month of March, precipitation was above normal across the state, while temperatures remained above normal.  Citizens should still be aware that even though March was a rainy month, drought watches and warnings continue.

 

MONTHLY EXTREMES FOR MARCH 2002