Frightening changes!

Completely off-topic comment for those who dislike being counted as "eyeballs":
Had to watch a 25 second ad so I could view the 42 second vid. I think one could type the four(?) text blocks in less time. But the graphics do tell the story with more emotion?

Thanks Steve for your contribution!

So who's next?

Edouard

Dear WeatherCat climate watchers,

It is March and here is the first 1 month and 3 month forecasts from the National Weather Service - Climate Predication Center for the transition from winter to spring.  Here is the one month forecasts of departures from normal temperatures for March:



Here is the equivalent 3 months predictions of temperatures departures from normal for March through May:



Here are the precipitation predictions of departures from normal for March:



Here is the equivalent graph for March to May:



On to drought forecasts.  Here is the drought outlook for March:



Here is the 3 month outlook:



Sadly, these forecasts propose that more parts of the country will develop drought than those parts of the country where drought will diminish.

Regrettably, it is increasingly clear that wildfires are a year around threat.  So here are the wildfire predictions from the NICC - National Interagency Coordination Center.  As always, these come only monthly.  Since they provide an evolving picture, I'll simply display them one after the other.  Here is March:



Here is the April outlook.



Finally, here is May:



Sadly, Texas is expected to have an elevated fire risk in March for the very areas that are burning now.  At least the risk ends after the end of the month (assuming the predictions are accurate of course.)

As usual, Like it or not, such are the forecasts we are facing . . . . 

Edouard

Need to edit the rain totals (found the late falling leaves doing an extra bit of "filtering"!).

February was...
   Warmer than average (51.42°F versus an average of 46.71)
   Drier than average (2.07 in versus an average total of 6.62)
   Calmer than average (a wind run of 482 miles versus an average of 1,016)

Here on the far western edge of the Uinta Mountains, in northern Utah,

February was...
    Warmer than average (25.18°F versus an average of 23.57)
    Wetter than average (4.41 in versus an average total of 2.38)
    Windier than average (a wind run of 3,557 miles versus an average of 2,854)