While 2023 was dry, 2024 starting off wet
By Carl Quintrell, weather correspondent
STANLEY — Total rainfall for the month was 3.29 inches, or 0.29 inches above the March average of 3 inches. The year-to-date rain total is now at 9.49 inches, or 1.30 inches above the average year to date total of 8.19 inches.
The wettest March on record was in 1994, with 9.53 inches of rain and snow melt. The driest March occurred in 2006, with only 0.35 inches of rain recorded.
There was no measurable snow during the month. Snow flurries were observed on March 10. Average total snow for March in the Page Valley is 4.1 inches. During the past 56 winters, the snowiest March was in 2013, with 23 inches of snow. Other snowy Marches include 20.5 inches in 1999, and 20.6 inches in 1994.
Valley temperatures for March were well above average. The mean temperature for the month was 49.7 degrees — 4.6 degrees above the 56-year average mean temperature for March of 45.1 degrees.
The average afternoon high temperature for the month was 59.8 degrees, or 4 degrees above the average high of 55.8 degrees. High temperatures for March climbed into the 70s on five days, the 60s on 11 days, the 50s on 12 days, and only in the 40s on three days during the month. The high for the month was 76 degrees on March 14.
The coldest March was in 2013, where the average afternoon high was only 46.2 degrees. The warmest March on record was in 2012, where the average afternoon high was 66.4 degrees.
The average daily low temperature for the month was 39.5 degrees, or 5 degrees above the average low of 34.5 degrees. Low temperatures for the month were down into the 20s on five days, the 30s on six days, the 40s on 17 days and the 50s on three days during the month. The low for the month was 26 degrees on March 1.
The peak wind gust for the month was 52 mph on Wednesday, March 20 — the day that wildfires spread all across Virginia.
No records were broken during March 2024.
Other statistics for the month of March include:
• 17 clear to partly cloudy days (18 avg.)
• 14 cloudy to mostly cloudy days (13 avg.)
• Eight days with dew (three avg.)
• Two days with frost (five avg.)
• Three days with fog (two avg.)
• One day with a thundershower (one avg.)
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