Coldest March in the U.S since 2002

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by Weatherfan2

Interesting to see that whatever is happening on the eastern two thirds of the USA the western third is getting the opposite.

I always find that fascinating too. Its rare to see a trough so wide it engulfs the entire lower 48. Thats why a Ridge and Trough are common within at same time.

Here's another look at March using State Rankings. Usually Florida sticks out like a sore red thumb. This time its Maine. lol

More maps here.

Temperature, Precipitation, and Drought | National Temperature and Precipitation Maps

[wawa1992]

In Tennessee, I don't remember March 2002 being all that cold, but March 2013 was frigid. Only the West saved this March from being the coldest in an even longer span of time.

[nei]

extending up to Canada, here's what March looked like:



http://sunshinehours.wordpress.com/2...in-the-middle/

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by nei

extending up to Canada, here's what March looked like:



Canada March 2013 – Really Cold in the Middle | sunshine hours

Rarely see Canadien data so thanks! I'm sure some are confused on the red dots above normal in Eastern Canada while Eastern U.S was cold. Classic blocking pattern. Cold air dips down at an angle underneath the blocking from Western Canada to Eastern U.S.

Hence why Maine was above normal in March. Northern New England was the bottom border of that block. Had the blocking been just 150 miles north more than VT, NH, ME would have felt the cold and Florida would have been warmer.

[saltine]

this is how you get average..Not liking the cold side of the scale myself