3/24/2024 - 3/30/2024

Climate in the News:

Part of the region will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse next week, but forecast models are hinting at unfavorable viewing conditions. Below is what our director Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon has to say about the matter:

“A variety of possibilities continue to exist for eclipse weather on April 8 for Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Right now, it all seems to hinge on a low-pressure system developing over the weekend in Colorado. If it's strong enough and stays far enough south, it could clear things out on Monday and leave us with clear skies along the entire eclipse track. If it's weak or stays north, we'll be under the influence of a strong upper-level trough over California, with lots of low and high clouds moving into the area. Too early to call, but I know what I'm rooting for!”

Weather Synopsis:

Two low-pressure systems traveling across the region were mainly responsible for last week’s weather. These two brought rainfall and cooler-than-normal temperatures.

Temperature:

Overall, March is when the Region is starting to warm up. However, frequent cold fronts are still common, bringing rain chances and below-normal temperatures for a few days.

Most of the temperature averages across the state were between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Overall, temperatures were cooler than normal across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi while Tennessee was closer to normal across the state.

Precipitation:

With the majority of the Region being in a humid subtropical climate, rainfall is common at any point of the year. Frequently, during the spring months, storm systems are common throughout the south. During March severe storm probabilities are at their highest in the Lower Mississippi Valley.

Rain fell across most of the region with parts of Oklahoma and Texas being the exception. The highest cumulative weekly total was seen in Tensas Parish, Louisiana at 3.46 inches.