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Weather Extremes

Harris-Mann Climatology The Spokesman-Review

For the week of March 16 through Saturday, there were 102 weather records tied or broken. Most of the extremes were precipitation records with a total of 35. There were 21 high temperature extremes, 21 low temperature records and 15 snowfall records.

Most of the record highs occurred in the Deep South and Southern California. On March 16, the mercury hit 90 degrees at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and 91 degrees at Miami. Anaheim, Calif., experienced unusually hot weather on Saturday at a sweltering 93 degrees. Other cities in the southern part of the Golden State observed record highs in the 80s to near 90 degrees.

Just five days earlier, Southern California reported some record low temperatures. On March 17, Lancaster, Calif., dipped to 26 degrees. It was 32 degrees at Oxnard. Several stations in Washington also reported chilly temperatures. On Wednesday, Dayton tied a record low with 19 degrees. It was 23 degrees at Pasco on Saturday. Burley, Idaho, dipped to 18 degrees Saturday. The most frigid temperature was observed in Alaska as Bethel reported minus 29 degrees on Saturday.

Precipitation records were widespread across parts of the central U.S. An amazing 5.69 inches of rain was gauged at West Plains, Mo., on Tuesday. Evansville, Ind., reported a record 3.92 inches of moisture. Unofficial rain totals in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and other places were over a foot, leading to deadly widespread flooding. Harrison, Ark., also had flooding rains with 4.77 inches recorded Tuesday. Cincinnati, Ohio, had 3.25 inches on the same day. On Thursday, Caribou, Maine, reported 1.39 inches of melted snow.

Speaking of snow, Caribou also picked up a record 10.6 inches that same day. Milwaukee had to dig out of 11.5 inches of snow on Friday. Caribou and other parts of the northern U.S. from North Idaho to New England are continuing to experience the snowiest season recorded. Heavy snows also plagued the Dakotas. Fargo, N.D., received 7.6 inches on Friday, and Sisseton, S.D., got 10.7 inches. Spokane reported a record 0.6 inches of snow on Wednesday.