Spokane out in cold compared to rest of U.S.

While Spokane experienced below normal temperatures and record-breaking precipitation in March the contiguous U.S. smashed records for the highest March temperatures in history dating back to 1895, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last month, the average reading was a whopping 51.1 degrees, which is 8.6 degrees above the 20th century average.

January through March was also the warmest first quarter on record for the contiguous U.S. The mean temperature was 42 degrees, which is 6 degrees above average.

As far as the past 12 months, April 2011 through March was the warmest stretch on record, with an average reading of 55.4 degrees. This temperature is 2.6 degrees above normal.

It was also reported that an incredible 15,202 warm records were broken across the U.S. There were 7,775 daytime highs and 7,517 nighttime high temperature records set.

With the very warm readings colliding with the colder air from Canada, we’re already seeing deadly tornado outbreaks across the central U.S.

In terms of our local weather, it looks like much warmer weather will be moving into the area. Don’t be surprised to see highs climb into the 60s, or perhaps near 70 by early next week. For the rest of the spring, I still expect to see a sun-and-showers weather pattern. Temperatures should start to climb to above normal levels over the next two to four weeks. The summer still looks warm and dry with only scattered thunderstorms, mainly over the mountains.