March 2021 Climate Summaries
Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida Area

Joe Maniscalco - Observation Program Leader (OPL)/Meteorologist
POC for Observation, Climate, and COOP
National Weather Service Mobile Alabama
April 5, 2021

March 2021 in Review - Mobile saw two lengthy periods of well above normal high and low temperatures during the second week and then the latter end of the month. The daily high from the 11th - 17th averaged 8° above normal and from the 25th - 31st, 6° above normal for these respective periods. Lows from the 12th - 17th averaged 13° above normal and from the 24th - 28th, a few degrees higher at 16.5° above normal. Two record high lows were reached on the 26th and 27th. For the Pensacola area, after an overall cool start to the month with regard to low temperatures by a few degrees below normal, two lengthy periods of well above normal high and low temperatures followed. The daily high from the 12th - 17th averaged 8.8° above normal and from the 25th - 31st, 7.6° above normal for these respective periods. Lows from the 12th - 17th averaged 12.2° above normal and from the 23rd - 30th, 10.2° above normal. Record high lows were reached on the 16th, 17th, and the 26th. A new record high was reached on the 28th. Summer seemed to come early for a few days of the month at Mobile and Pensacola. Mobile and Pensacola both saw rainfall coming in below normal. Considering annual accumulations, the rain gauge continues to run "dry" with substantial deficits by several inches for both sites so far.   

Mobile Alabama Area [Climate Normal Period 1981-2010, Climate Record Period 1872 to Present]- The average monthly high of 73.8° was 2.6° above normal. The average monthly low was 52.2° or 3.1° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 63.0° was 2.8° above normal. The highest temperature for the month, 82°, occurred on three days, the 17th, 26th and 31st. Two record high lows were reached. 72° on the morning of the 26th smashed the previous record on this date of 69° set back in 1949 and also sets the new all time highest low temperature for the month since records have been kept. 71° on the following morning of the 27th broke the previous record on this date of 70° set way back in 1921. The lowest temperature for the month occurred on the mornings of the 4th and the 8th, 36°. (Fig. A) shows a graphical representation of how the Mobile area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. Bar graphs reflecting the daily high/low temperature departures from normal are provided in the table below (Figs. B and C). Total rainfall for March (Fig. D) measured only 5.72", 0.42" below normal. The annual rainfall to date shown in (Fig. E) is shy of 6.0" below normal. 

March top records for the month during the Period of Record for the Mobile Area:

• High 91° occurred on the 27th/1910.
• Low 21° occurred on the 14th/1993.
• Highest one day rainfall - 10.71" occurred on the 14th/1929.
• Highest monthly record rainfall - 20.23"/1929.
• Lowest monthly record rainfall - 0.24"/2006.
• Highest monthly snowfall - 2.7"/1993. ("March Superstorm")  

Click on the Mobile Alabama area climate graphics below to expand:

Figure A.

Figure B.

Figure C.

Figure D.

Figure E.

Pensacola Florida Area [Climate Normal Period 1981-2010, Climate Record Period 1879 to Present] - The average monthly high of 74.0° was 4.4° above normal. The average monthly low was 56.3° or 5.1° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 65.2° was 2.8° above normal. The highest temperature for the month, 86° on the 28th was 14° above the normal daily high temperature for this date and also set a new record high. Interestingly, the previous record on this date of 84° occurred last year. Three record high lows were reached. 70° on the morning of the 16th tied the previous record on this date set back in 1945. 72° on the 17th smashed the previous record of 69° set on this date in 1982 and 72° on the 26th broke the previous record of 70° set on this date in 1948. (Fig. F) shows a graphical representation of how the Pensacola area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. (Figs. G and H) shows the daily high/low temperature departures from normal. Pensacola received 4.55" (Fig. I) of rain, 1.26" below normal. The annual rainfall deficit to date shown in (Fig. J) has risen to over 4" below normal. 

March top records for the month during the Period of Record for the Pensacola Area:

• High 90° occurred on the 22nd/2017.
• Low 22° occurred on the 2nd/1980.
• Highest one day rainfall - 11.10" on the 3rd/1979.
• Highest monthly record rainfall - 16.53"/1948.
• Lowest monthly record rainfall - 0.24"/2006. 
• Highest monthly snowfall - 2.3"/1954.  

Click on the Pensacola Florida area climate graphics below to expand:

Figure F.

Figure G.

Figure H.

Figure I.

Figure J.

Additional March 2021 Climatology and Topics

The latest March 2021 monthly summary for Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) - KVPS and Duke Field - KEGI has been received and provided in the table below. The temperatures in the daily tables are posted in °C. Data courtesy of Mr. David Biggar, Staff Meteorologist, 96th Weather Squadron. Provided by permission. 

Eglin AFB/Duke Field Climate Summary - Mar. 2021.

KVPS - Mar. 2021

KEGI - Mar. 2021

April 2021 Climatology, Seasonal Climatology and Outlooks:

Important: NOAA will be updating the climatology dataset to a "New Normal". The new 30-year dataset will span from 1991 to 2020 and is scheduled for release in May 2021. For more information on the roll-out, refer to the following link from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI 30 Year Normals 1991-2020).

As we move deeper into Spring, the latest outlook for April favors about a 40% probability of seeing above normal temperatures over the southeast US and coastal plain. With spring gardens underway, keep in mind there can still be instances of cold weather which could see the thermometer plunging to at or below freezing or bouts of frost. Both will be detrimental to sensitive outdoor plants and measures to protect them will need to be in place if the need arises. A link to the latest drought information and outlooks are included in the table below. We are moving into the height of severe weather season too and information on severe weather climatology is posted as a link.  

Click on the snap shots below to expand:

April Normals

Temperature Outlook

Precipitation Outlook

Typical Freeze  Probabilities (First and Last Dates)

Drought Information and Facts

Severe Weather Climatology

 

Additional Temperature/Precipitation Outlook Graphics

 

Additional Climate Links:

The links below are intended to provide additional climate information, education and outlooks. The National Weather Service Mobile Alabama's Climate and Past Weather page provides climate data at your fingertips for many observation points in the local forecast area by accessing the NOWData tab as well as many other climate resources. The Climate Prediction Center Link provides short and longer range climatic outlooks and education about the larger scale global circulations that impact temperatures and weather. With the large agriculture and farming presence along the central Gulf coast, the Drought Monitor link provides updates on drought trends and impacts. Another very helpful resource is the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network, which is a large group of volunteers working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). The aim of CoCoRaHS is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. You can be a part of the CoCoRaHS team by becoming a volunteer rainfall observer. To learn more click on the CoCoRaHS link below.

National Weather Service Mobile AL Climate and Past Weather

Climate Prediction Center (CPC)

Drought Monitor

CoCoRaHS Network

CoCoRaHS Network Water Year Summaries

Questions or Comments:

Contact: Joe Maniscalco - Observation Program Leader WFO Mobile, AL at joe.maniscalco@noaa.gov