March 2020 Climate Summary

Overview & Graphics
Monthly Summary
Events

Overview & Graphics

March 2020 featured well above normal temperatures. Precipitation was variable along and south of I-80, while areas north of I-80 had above to well above normal precipitation for the month, especially across far northern Illinois. This included Rockford finishing as the 4th wettest March on record. Snowfall was below normal at the official climate sites, though a portion of northern Illinois generally I-80 and south had above normal snowfall. This was driven by the March 22-23 moderate to heavy wet snow event.


March 2020 Temperatures and Precipitation	March 2020 Snowfall

Chicago and Rockford Monthly Summary

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of March 2020 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 50.9 degrees, which
is 4.3 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
34.7 degrees, which is 5.5 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 42.8 degrees, which is 4.9 degrees
above normal. During the month of March, 3.48 inches of
precipitation were recorded, which is 0.98 inches above normal.
3.2 inches of snow were recorded, which is 2.4 inches
below normal.

One record was set for Chicago for the month of March 2020:
* Record daily maximum precipitation of 1.48 inches on the 28th.


At Rockford, the average high temperature was 49.6 degrees, which
is 2.7 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
32.3 degrees, which is 4.8 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 40.9 degrees, which is 3.7 degrees
above normal. During the month of March, 5.01 inches of
precipitation were recorded, which is 2.69 inches above normal.
2.3 inches of snow were recorded, which is 2.5 inches
below normal.

Two records were set for Rockford for the month of March 2020:
* Record daily maximum precipitation of 1.28 inches on the 9th.
* Record daily maximum precipitation of 2.00 inches on the 28th.

One Top Ten Monthly Record:
** 4th wettest March on record since 1906 with 5.01 inches.

$$

Petr

Monthly Climate Report: Chicago | Rockford

Events

March 6, 2020: Lakeshore flooding in northwest Indiana and parts of Chicago
March 22-23, 2020: Late season moderate to heavy wet snow event produces 3-6 inches
2019-2020 Winter: A listing of this winter's events
March 28, 2020: EF-1 tornado near Oregon, IL

NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page