Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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Minnesotans saw a steady parade of powerful weather systems passing through the region during March. Record warmth during the second half of the month put it among the top 10 warmest Marches on record.

The month brought several weather systems to the state, including three blizzards, one wintry mix storm with sleet, freezing rain, and snow, as well as one heavy snow event. 

All of these systems combined brought 11.2 inches of snow, and 2.96 inches of liquid precipitation. Our March averages for snow are 8.2 inches and 1.68 inches of liquid precipitation. 

March received more liquid precipitation than December, January and February combined. 

The first blizzard of the month happened on March 4-5, where the Twin Cities picked up more than a month’s worth of snow. 

March 14-15 brought a very strong low-pressure system, marking the lowest pressure in March in at least a decade. Western and northwestern Minnesota faced whiteout blizzard conditions, with wind gusts ranging from 45 to 60 mph. Snow accumulations were generally between 2 to 5 inches. Some areas reported more than 6 inches.

Most of Minnesota missed the system that arrived on March 19, but it brought a blizzard to extreme southeastern and southern parts of the state. 

Areas along the Interstate 90 corridor received between 6 to 12 inches of snow, while wind gusts of 40-50 mph caused widespread blowing and drifting snow.

A heavy snow event on March 22-23 affected far northern and northeastern Minnesota, bringing two bands of snow to the region.

And the last event on March 29-30 brought a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, heavy rain and snow to central and southern Minnesota. Many locations in the metro and southern Minnesota reported over 2 to 3 inches of rain. 

Record high temperatures were set in March, with March 14 reaching a record high of 75 degrees. This marked the earliest day in Minnesota's history to hit 75 degrees.

The warm conditions shattered daily high temperature records at more than 30 long-term stations, each with at least 50 years of data.

The end of the month brought an all time state record high temperature of 86 degrees in Fairmont for March 28. 

If Monday’s high temperature hits the forecast 42 degrees, this March will average 39.1 degrees, earning a spot in the top 10 warmest Marches on record. The following chart includes temperature data through March 30:

The April temperature outlook shows equal chances for below-normal, normal, and above-normal temperatures. Typical April high temperatures range from around 50 early in the month, gradually warming to the low 60s by the end of the month.

The April precipitation outlook shows equal chances for below-normal, normal, and above-normal precipitation across most of the state, with the exception of southeastern Minnesota, where above-normal precipitation is more likely. 

The typical snowfall for April is around 3.5 inches, with the average total precipitation near 2.91 inches.

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Minnesota saw a steady parade of powerful weather systems passing through the region in March. Record warmth was recorded in both mid and late March, placing this month among the top 10 warmest Marches on record.

March recap: Multiple storm systems, above-average temperatures

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