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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Don’t take off snow tires just yet

Randy Mann

During the early morning of March 20, spring officially arrives in the Inland Northwest.

The winter of 2008-’09 saw about twice the normal seasonal snowfall, which fell in a matter of about three to four weeks. Even if we don’t see any additional snow for the rest of the season, the winters of 2007-’08 and 2008-’09 will be the snowiest combined back-to-back winters in recorded history.

With a weak La Niña, the cooler than normal sea-surface temperature event in the south-central Pacific Ocean, continuing to influence weather patterns, plus low sunspot activity, I’m expecting a cool and wet spring season.

The normal March mean temperature at Spokane International Airport is 39.5 degrees. Last year, we had an average March reading of 36.3 degrees, which was 3.2 degrees below normal. The normal high temperature for March is 48.6 degrees. In 2008, highs averaged 5 degrees below normal. For 2009, the mean temperature at the airport is expected to be about 2 to 3 degrees below normal levels.

Total precipitation for this month should be a bit more than the average of 1.53 inches. I also want to mention that motorists shouldn’t take those winter tires off prematurely this year, as more snow is expected that may put us close to the all-time season record of 93.5 inches set back in 1949-50.

Last March, 15.8 inches of snow fell compared to a normal of 3.1 inches. We may see another 2 to 3 inches of snow by the end of the month. There may also be a thunderstorm or two this March with pea-size hail. It will also be quite windy at times, typical for the month. Some downed trees will be possible.

The cool and wet weather pattern should continue into April. Last year, the airport measured 1.27 inches of moisture with the normal at 1.28 inches. In Last April, there was 4.8 inches of snow, which was 3.1 inches above average. Don’t be too surprised to see an inch or two of snow next month.

The average temperature at the airport last April was 42 degrees. This was 4.5 degrees below normal. Although, April’s mean reading should still be below average, next month’s temperature should not be as cool as last April.

Much better weather is expected in May. Mean temperatures last May were about 2 degrees above normal with below average precipitation. This May should see a similar pattern in the Inland Northwest.

Contact Randy Mann at randy@longrangeweather.com.