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Total rainfall in March was the fourth-lowest recorded so far this century.
Remember the inch of rain in eight days at March's end? That was one-half the month's total, not enough, as the 2 inches was one-third below March' century average of 3 inches. It was the first month since November rainfall was below century averages.
Only six of the 15 days of measurable precipitation were over 0.1 inch.
This was the fourth driest March this century. Three have been since 2019. All four had 2 inches or less of rain.
The last decade rain has been below the century's average. Of the 12 years with less than three inches, seven are since 2015.
There has been four years of over four inches including five inches in 2017.
Still, the 14.4 inches of rain since Dec. 1 is almost 1.5 inches above the century average for the period.
The month began cold, with frosts March 5-7 and the daily average temperature below 40 degrees the first week.
Two high temperature day records were set, 66.6 degrees March 16 and 67 degrees March 17.
The average daily temperatures just about matched the century's average, with the average morning low of 37.9 0.6 degrees above average. The average daily high of 52.3 degrees is the century's average. The month's daily average temperature of 45 degrees was slightly above the last 25 years average temperature.
Measurements and data are at Washington State University's Mount Vernon weather station on Memorial Highway.
Rain Report: March
Rainfall, March 24-30: 0.54"
Rainfall in March: 2.0"
Number of rain days: 15
Least rain, one day: 0.01", 3 days
Most rain, one day: 0.50", March 23
Least rain: 1.35", 2019
Most rain: 5.0", 2017
Average rainfall, 2000-2024: 3.0"
Rainfall in Feb.: 3.2"
All totals in inches. Data from WSU Mount Vernon.
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