March 2015 Climate Summary

It was a warm and dry March for the High Plains region. You can read part of what conditions were like below, or you can read the complete version here. 

Overview - Warm and Dry

March 2015 brought a continuation of warmth to the western United States and cold for parts of the east. Unlike February, when the High Plains region had a dichotomy of temperatures, this month’s temperatures were above normal for the entire region. Temperatures of at least 4.0 degrees F (2.2 degrees C) above normal were widespread, with western parts of the Dakotas, north-central Nebraska, and southern Wyoming having departures greater than 6.0 degrees F (3.3 degrees C) above normal. Where departures were the largest, many locations made the list for top 10 warmest March on record.

The warm weather this month was accompanied by extremely dry conditions as little to no precipitation fell across the region. While low precipitation totals are not as worrisome during the winter months, March marks the beginning of spring, when precipitation totals start to increase. The majority of the region had precipitation totals which were less than 50 percent of normal. Much of Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota picked up a paltry 5-25 percent of normal precipitation, while both central Nebraska and central Kansas received less than 5 percent of normal precipitation. This generally meant deficits of 1.00-2.00 inches (25-51 mm), with some higher deficits in southeastern Kansas. The lack of precipitation caused an expansion of drought conditions and many locations had their top 10 driest March on record. A few isolated locations even had their driest. The spring season is critical for precipitation and any continued dryness should be monitored as the season progresses.

The combination of warm and dry conditions had both positive and negative impacts for the region. For instance, grass fires were an issue in many areas as dry vegetation provided quick burning fuel. Some fires threatened homes and caused road closures. On the other end of the spectrum, the warm and dry conditions were good for the calving season and also allowed producers to easily get equipment into fields. Although beneficial in the short-term, a continuation of dry conditions would not be favorable as spring rains will be needed to replenish soil moisture.

Much more information is available in the PDF version of the summary including temperature and precipitation highlights, snowpack and drought updates, and a look at the upcoming season. Click here to read more!