Goodbye cold February - March in like a lamb

February 2021 is one we probably won't forget for some time after the incredible cold snap that hit much of the United States, and in particular the central and southern Plains. Just look at the map below for Feb. 2021 and you quickly get a sense of just how much of the country was colder than normal. And from Oklahoma to Canada, it was 15 to 20° below average.

The official number will change, but this month will likely go down as a top 10 coldest Februarys in many areas of Kansas. 

And in Dodge City:

March - a month that can get really wild around Kansas. If you lived here for awhile, you know what I mean. Blizzard in western Kansas and tornadoes in the east. It has happened before, but the month looks like it will come in like a lamb. Normal highs start off in the low 50s and jump to the low 60s by the end of the month. Daylight Saving Time will begin on March 14th. And the vernal equinox happens on March 20th.

Our first March storm should be arriving later next week. At this time, it sure doesn't look like a major storm or anything out of the ordinary, but rain and some snow should return late in the week. Given the temperatures leading up to the event, I'm expecting mostly rain, but there's a chance for snow in western Kansas too. 

March, as a whole, will probably end up with near normal precipitation (see the "March Stats" to learn more about what is average). The persistent storm track in from the west is going to continue, so we will have several opportunities for rain and snow throughout the month.

And although March starts off mild, I'm expecting another cold spell either mid or late March. Don't worry, it won't be what it was in February, but could be a stretch of highs in the 30s and 40s.