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During March 2021, temperatures were 4 to 9°F warmer-than-normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Monthly average temperatures ranged from 34.3°F at Medford, WI to 42.3°F at Decorah, IA.
Precipitation totals were near-normal. Precipitation totals ranged from 0.75” near Cashton, WI to 3.25” at Osage, IA.
Snowfall was mainly below-normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The highest snow total was 9” at Charles City, IA.
The graphics below display the March 2021 temperature, precipitation, and snowfall anomalies for northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.
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| Temperature Anomalies | Precipitation Anomalies | Snowfall Anomalies |
Below are the March 2021 climate summaries for La Crosse, WI & Rochester, MN.
During March 2021, the average temperature at La Crosse Regional Airport was 42.2°F. This was 7.7°F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal of 34.5°F. This was the 7th warmest March and the warmest March since 2012 (50.4°F - warmest March). 7 out of the 16 warmest Marches have occurred since 2000.
The average high temperature was 53.3°F. This was 9.4°F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal of 43.9°F. This was tied with 2000 for the 6th warmest average high temperature during a March. The warmest March average high temperature was 60.2°F in 2012. 5 out of the 20 warmest March average high temperatures have occurred since 2010.
The average low temperature was 31.2°F. This was 6F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal of 25.2°F. This was the 11th warmest average March low temperature. The warmest March average low temperature was 40.5°F in 2012. 6 out of the 12 warmest March average low temperatures have occurred since 2000.
There were 10 days in which the temperature reach or exceeded 60°F. This tied 1878 and 1946 for the 6th most in a March. Only 5 other Marches had more. They were: 2012 (19 days), 1910 (13 days),1945 (12 days), 1968 (11 days), and 1938 (11 days). La Crosse had more days with 60F or warmer temperatures this March than the past 4 Marches combined (2017 – 3 days, 2018 – 0 days, 2019 – 1 day, and 2020 - 3 days).
The warmest temperature was 72°F on March 29. This was the warmest March temperature since 2016 (March 8).
The coldest temperature was 17°F on March 1 and March 2.
A total of 1.51 inches of precipitation fell. This was 0.53" drier-than-normal (2.04 inches). This was the 4th month in a row with below-normal precipitation. Due to this dryness, the U.S. Drought Monitor has the area abnormally dry (D0). The wettest day was on March 10 when 0.47" of precipitation fell.
A total of 4.0" of snow fell. This was 3.1 inches below the 1981-2010 normal of 7.1". This raised the 2020-21 seasonal snowfall to 33". This is 10.3" below the 1981-2010 normal of 43.3". The snowiest day was March 15 when 3.9" of snow fell.
March 9 - Record High - 69°F - previous record 67°F in 1878
During April, the normal high temperature for La Crosse warms from 52°F on the 1st to 66°F on the 30th. The normal low temperature increases from 32°F on the 1st to 44°F on the 30th. The monthly mean temperature is 48.6°F.
A total of 3.34" of precipitation and 1.7" of snow falls during the month.
During March 2021, the average temperature at Rochester International Airport was 38°F. This was 5.6F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal of 32.4°F. This was the 10th warmest March and the warmest March since 2016 (38.5°F - 8th warmest). 8 out of the 18 warmest Marches have occurred since 2000.
The average high temperature was 47.1°F. This was 6.6°F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal of 40.5°F. This was the 11th warmest March average high temperature. The warmest March average high temperature was 58.8°F in 2012. 4 out of the 14 warmest March average highs have occurred since 2010.
The average low temperature was 28.9°F. This was 4.6°F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal of 24.3°F. This was the 10th warmest average March low temperature. The warmest March average low temperature was 39.5°F in 2012. 9 out of the 18 warmest March average lows have occurred since 2000.
The warmest temperature was 68°F on March 29. This was the warmest March temperature since 2016 (March 8).
The coldest temperature was 7°F on March 1.
A total of 2.08" of precipitation fell. This was 0.20" wetter-than-normal (1.88"). Over half of this precipitation fell on March 15 (1.10").
A total of 8.9" of snow fell. This was 0.2" snowier than the 1981-2010 normal of 8.7". This raised the 2020-21 seasonal snowfall to 41.7". This is 10.2" below the 1981-2010 normal of 51.9". The snowiest day was March 15 when 7.9" of snow fell.
During April, the normal high temperature in Rochester rises from 49°F on the 1st to 64°F on the 30th. The normal low temperature increases from 31°F on the 1st to 42°F on the 30th. The monthly mean temperature is 46.7°F.
A total of 3.24" of precipitation and 3.3" of snow falls during the month.
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