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Prepared by Preston Leftwich, David F. Zierden, and Melissa Griffin
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures well below normal in March. For a third consecutive month, average temperatures for March were well below normal across the entire state (Table 1). Primary reporting stations observed average temperatures for the month more than four degrees below normal, with Orlando and Key West more than six degrees below normal. On March 5th several daily minimum temperature records were set or tied (Table 2). In particular, the minimum temperature (53° F) at Key West on the 5th tied a daily record from 1873. The average temperature at Vero Beach (61.2° F) tied the record for the coldest March, previously observed in 1969. Also, the average temperature at Naples (63.6° F) was the coldest on record for March.

Table 1: March average temperatures and departures from normal (°F) for selected cities.

Station Average Temperature Departure from Normal
Pensacola 55.8 -5.2
Tallahassee 55.7 -5.4
Jacksonville 56.7 -4.9
Orlando 60.9 -6.5
Tampa 61.6 -5.8
Miami 67.7 -4.7
Key West 67.7 -6.1

 

Table 2: Minimum temperature (°F) records tied or broken during March (compiled from NWS).

Date Station Temperature Previous Record
5 Orlando 37 38 in 2002
5 Melbourne 35 36 in 1960
5 Vero Beach 33 37 in 1999
5 Miami 44 t 44 in 1930
5 Miami Beach 43 45 in 1927
5 W. Palm Beach 39 40 in 1971
5 Key West 53 t 53 in 1873
6 Gainesville 28 t 28 in 1962 *
6 Fort Myers 42 t 42 in 1978
7 Melbourne 38 39 in 1966
31 Key West 58 59 in 2003
t: tied    * last of multiple occurrences

 

March rainfall well above normal in central areas. Rainfall totals for March were well above normal across central Florida, below normal across much of northern Florida and generally near normal in southern Florida (Table 3). Pensacola (0.82") and Key West (-1.52") were locally above and below normal, respectively. Numerous daily rainfall records were set on March 11th and 12th (Table 4). The widespread area of above normal rainfall in central Florida and a narrow band of above normal rainfall along the northern Gulf coast are evident in Figure 1.

Table 3: March precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Station Total Rainfall Departure from Normal
Pensacola 7.22 0.82
Tallahassee 5.11 -1.36
Jacksonville 1.87 -2.06
Orlando 8.87 5.33
Tampa 5.88 3.04
Miami 2.81 0.25
Key West 0.34 -1.52

 

Table 4: Daily rainfall records (inches) set during March (compiled from NWS).

Date Station Amount Previous Record
11 Tallahassee 2.25 0.98 in 1956
11 Orlando 2.60 2.11 in 1996
11 Vero Beach 3.22 2.97 in 1996
12 Orlando 1.20 0.78 in 1959
12 Melbourne 1.23 0.65 in 1953
12 Vero Beach 2.69 1.03 in 1958
12 Fort Myers 3.56 3.44 in 1970
12 Miami 1.20 1.04 in 1995
12 W. Palm Beach 4.99 2.44 in 1958
28 Vero Beach 2.26 1.03 in 1965
29 Melbourne 1.89 1.61 in 2001

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for March is given in the figure below (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

Mar. Precipitation

El Niño continues to impact Florida. Sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean remained more than 1.0° C above normal, designating moderate El Niño conditions. Weather in Florida continued to follow expected El Niño-related conditions. A series of surface low pressure areas moved from west to east to the north of Florida during March, each followed by cold fronts that reinforced cold air across the state. This resulted in continued colder than average conditions across the whole state, and significantly wetter than average conditions in the central part of the state.

Hazardous weather. Thunderstorm wind damage occurred near New Port Richey on the 1st. Weak tornadoes, which touched down near Chassahowitzka, Auburndale and Haines City, and thunderstorm winds near Santos, Hernando and Zephyrhills caused minor damage on the 11th. Later in the month, weak tornadoes caused minor damage near Melbourne (28th) and Oakland Park (29th). Hail up to one inch in diameter was observed at Buckhead Ridge on the 28th.

Agricultural and other impacts. Wet weather early in the month hampered field work. Persistent cold weather slowed vegetable growth in most areas. Freezing temperatures caused some damage to sugarcane and nursery crops in the South. However, the sugarcane harvest was nearly complete by the end of the month. Heavy, soaking rains across central and some southern areas benefitted citrus crops. Although forage growth varied across the state due to locally heavy rainfall and cold temperatures, most cool season forage was near maturity by the end of the month.

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