In Like A Lion: March Weather Outlook For North Dakota From NWS

March is the very first month of the meteorological of spring.

Spring for the rest of us officially begins on March 20th.  If you look outside right now, it looks like anything but spring.

The storm on Monday and Tuesday that brought us 12.3 inches of snow has increased our total snow for the entire season to 75.4 inches.  That puts us in the conversation to break the all-time record of snow for a winter season at 101.6 inches of snow.  That happened by the way, back during the winter of 96-97.

March is known to come in like a lion.  Will go out like a lamb in North Dakota?

According to the National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center, it doesn't look that way.  Looking first at temperatures it appears March is going to be colder than average over the entire state.

The reason for that?   Because of the heavy snow pack that is currently situated over the entire state.  That March sunshine is strong but its warmth is going to be used up trying to melt all that snow.  Keeping temperatures down the majority of the month.  Especially the first half of March, according to long-range forecasts.

To add insult to injury, the month is supposed to be pretty active with precipitation.

As you can see by the map above, March is favored to have above-average precipitation.  That precipitation will more than likely come in the form of snow with below-average temperatures.

Check out this long-range forecast from the Weather Channel for Bismarck.  After the next couple of days, no days above freezing for high temperatures.  Also, look at those chances of snow for next week.

Let's hope March goes out like a lamb but all signs are pointing to a cold and snowy March.  I guess we can hope for better in April.