March 2014 Saint Cloud Weather Summary

Saint Cloud Weather Summary for March 2014

Time Passes, Cold Doesn't

Another month, another period of well-below average temperatures. The March average temperature at the St. Cloud Regional Airport wasn't horrible: 22.5°F, 6.9°F colder than average. That only ranks as the 28th coldest March. In fact, it was colder last March (21.9°F). Actually, the temperature made up quite a bit of ground after an awful start. The first 3 days averaged nearly 30 degrees colder than average with only the 4th March high of zero or colder and 5 cold temperature records set in the first three days (compared to only 4 others the rest of the winter).

However, it's the persistent, unrelenting cold that has been the problem. Over the 5-month period between November 2013 through March 2014, comprising most of the snow season, the average temperature in St. Cloud was 13.5°F, 6.0°F colder than average. That ranks as the 6th coldest November through March season in St. Cloud records and the coldest in 35 years (since 1978-1979). Three of the 5 cold seasons ahead of this year were in the 1880's. In fact, there have been only 3 seasons ranking in the top 10 since 1960 (1964-1965, 1978-1979, and this season).

Other notable "milestones:"

Temperature

• 6th coldest November through March (13.5°F, -6.0°F), coldest in 35 years (1978-1979)
• 28th coldest March on record (22.5°F, -6.9°F), milder than last March (21.9°F)
• 63 days with a low of zero or colder; 8th most on record
  • Record: 69 days in 1964-1965, 1978-1979
  • Most since 1978-1979
• 15 days with a high of zero or colder; second most on record behind 1935-1936 (17 days)
  • 1 in March (4th time on record); March 1, 1943, March 10, 1948, and March 1, 1963
• 14 days with a low of -20 or colder; tied for 6th most
  • record: 20 days in 1978-1979
  • most since 1995-1996 (15 days)
• First 50-degree high March 30, 17 days late, but earlier than last year's record-breaking latest date of April 26
• 5 record cold March temperatures tied or broken
  • March 1: tied record cold high
  • March 2: broke record cold high (4th of season) and average
  • March 3: broke record cold average (3rd of season) and low (2nd of season)
  • Other daily records:
    • January 6 - record cold high tied
    • February 25 - record cold high
    • February 27 - record cold average and low tied

There was above average snowfall again in March, but it was far less frequent than earlier in the winter. 9.2 inches fell in March, 1.1 inches higher than average. Most of it fell on March 18 with 7.4 inches on that day. However, like the temperature, it's the whole winter totals that are getting up there. The seasonal snowfall, including 0.4 inch on the morning of April 1, is now 63.9 inches, just 1.5 inch short of St. Cloud's 10 snowiest cold seasons. Currently, 2013-2014 has the 14th highest total snowfall. There have been 47 days with measurable snowfall (including April 1), 9th most on record (tied with 1964-1965, 1969-1970, 1995-1996).

Other notable "achievements:"

Snowfall

• 4 daily record snowfalls
  • December 4 (5.0 inches)
  • January 18 (5.7 inches)
  • February 17 (4.3 inches) and 20 (7.6 inches)

Despite only 4 days with measurable snow in March (and a near clean miss of the March 31 blizzard in northern Minnesota), it's the persistent snow depth that has been the problem. Including April 1 (4 inches on the ground as of 7 AM), there have now been 120 consecutive days with at least an inch on the ground (December 3 through April 1). That ties last winter's mark. However, St. Cloud would need another 9 days to crack 10 longest streaks. The record is 146 days, set in 2000-2001. This would require the latest ever end to the streak, 11 days later than the April 15 record set in 1975. Last season ranked 4th latest with the last day on April 7. Already, having seen the snow cover last through April 1, this season is in the top 11.

Missing the blizzard and even the thunderstorms from yesterday kept the March melted precipitation less than average. The total was 1.20 inches, 0.35 inch below average.

Is the snow season over? We should know better. The average April snowfall is 2.9 inches. Looking at it each year, April is very hit-and-miss. Most years, there is very little and some years, there is a lot, including last April's 24.4 inches, the snowiest April on record. There is the possibility of more snow on Thursday, but a change in the track could produce a little...or a lot.