March

Weather Events: Canada | United States | World

Quote of the Month

Significant Weather Events

Canada

1 March 1958, Newfoundland: A 46-hour ice storm, Newfoundland's worst in 30 years, coats tree branches and power lines with up to 60 mm (2.4 inches) of ice.

2 March 1947, Ottawa, Ontario: The March one-day record snowfall of 40.6 cm (16 inches) of snow buries the Nation's Capitol. The storm leaves 73 cm (28.7 inches) of snow covering the Ottawa region.

2 March 2003, Kitchener, Ontario: The temperature plummets to -31°C (-23.8 °F), destroying the day's former record by more than 10 C degrees (18 F degrees). With the wind chill and it feels like -42 (-43.6)

3 March 2002, Lansdowne House, Ontario: Morning temperature sinks to -41.3°C (-42.3 °F)

4 March 1910, Rogers Pass, British Columbia: Avalanche sweeps down Cheops Mountain and hits a work train and crew cleaning previous slide. All but one of the 63-man crew dies.

4 March 1966, Winnipeg, Manitoba: Winnipeg's Snowstorm of the Century: Blizzard drops 35 cm (13 inches) of snow with winds blowing at 120 km/h (75 mph), paralyzing the city for two days.

4 March 1971, Montreal, Quebec: 47 cm (18.5 inches) of snow covers Montreal. Snowfall drifts to great heights under storm winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) buffet city. Electric power out for two to seven days. The snowfall at Dorval — 43.2 cm (17 inches) — is officially the city's greatest 24 hour snow.

5 March 2007, Key Lake, Saskatchewan: The morning temperature bottoms out at -46 °C (-51 °F) at Key Lake, Saskatchewan.

5 March 2003, Norman Wells, Northwest Territories: The first blizzard to strike the community in over 20 years strands nine, traveling in three snowmobiles, on the Tuktoyaktuk ice road in the Mackenzie Delta. Despite frigid winds of 80 km/h (50 mph), rescuers locate the group and transport them to a nearby camp.

5-10 March 1916, Morden, Manitoba: 121.9 cm (48 inches) of snow bury town over five-day period.

6 March 2003, Timmins, Ontario: The thermometer struggles to a high of -33.6 °C (-28.5 °F) in Timmins.

6 March 2003, British Columbia: Extreme cold descends on British Columbia as MacKenzie establishes a new record low at -32.7 °C (-26.9 °F). Blue River records a low of -32.7 °C (-28.9 °F), surpasses its previous record low by 6.7 C° (12 F°) as does Bonilla Island at -36 °C (-32.8 °F).

7 March 1999, Moncton, New Brunswick: Canada's snowiest major city sets a new record for a one-day snowfall of 116 cm (45.7 inches), but prior to that date the winter's total had been a meager (for the city) 117 cm (46 inches)of snow.

7 March 2011, Quebec: A winter storm blows across parts of Quebec. By midday, Montreal measures 19 cm (7.5 inches); Gaspe 42 cm (16.5 inches); and Quebec, 45 cm (17.7 inches).

8 March 1879, Erin, Ontario: An intense afternoon thunderstorm brings lightning and hail. Some stones measure 4 cm (1.6 inches in diameter).

9 March 2002, Southern Ontario: A powerful wind storm blasts across southern Ontario. Its peak winds reaching 138 km/h (86 mph) breaks tree branches, topples signs, and causes power outages and accidents. Snow squalls create whiteout conditions as temperatures plummet from 21^o to -7°C (70 to 19°F) in just a few hours.

9 March 1997, Victoria, British Columbia: High winds reaching 67 km/h (40 mph) lash south Vancouver Island. Trees toppled and 15,000 without power.

9 March 2005, New Brunswick: New Brunswickers arose to a fierce battering of rain, wind and snow. At St. Leonard 50 cm (19.7 inches) of snow falls while Saint John sees 28 mm (1.10 inches) of rain, Moncton records wind gusts up to 111 km/h (70 mph). Nearly 25,000 customers across the province lose power during the storm.

10 March 1963, Barrhead, Alberta: An unusual early-season tornado stirkes a farm house outside Barrhead, ripping off the roof and twisting trees from the ground.

10 March 2010, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia: A storm centered off Haida Gwaii brings extremely strong winds to the regon WInds at Sandspit reach 98 km/h (157 mph) with gusts to 126 km/h (202 mph) and at Masset hits 46 km/h (74 mph) gusting to 91 km/h (146 mph) .

11 March 2003, Golden, British Columbia: Massive avalanche closes the Trans-Canada Highway as snows from a major influx of moist, tropical air produce unstable snowpacks throughout the southeastern mountains.

12 March 2012, Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia: A powerful wind storm lashes BC's south coast. Off the west Vancouver Island coast on Solander Island, a gust hit 137 km/h (87 mph). On southern Vancouver Island, gusts hit 106 km/h (66 mph) at Comox and 95 km/hr (59 mph) across Greater Victoria. The winds down trees and cause ferries to be cancelled.

13 March 1897, Medicine Hat, Alberta: The coldest March temperature in Medicine Hat as thermometer bottoms out at -38.9°C (-38°F).

14 March 1927, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Worst blizzard in decades hits Saskatoon pushing drifts 1-2m (3-6 ft) high.

15 March 2010, Alberta: A warm southwesterly flow brings mild Pacific air into Alberta resulting in record high temperatures across the province. .Edson, 17.7 °C (64 °F), Fort McMurray, 14.0°C (57 °F); Peace River, 10.7 °C (51 °F); and Whitecourt, 14.8 °C (58.6 °F).

16 March 2005, East Coast, Newfoundland: Storm surge pushes 10-m (33 ft) waves, rocks and tonnes of ice crashing along the Avalon and Baie Verte peninsulas, causing millions of dollars in damage.

16 March 2012, Saskatchewan: Temperatures soar across the province setting new high temperature marks at Estevan, 23°C (73.4 °F); and Weyburn, 21.3°C (70 °F).

16-21 March 1885, Pointe-des-Monts, Quebec: Great snowfall: 248.9 cm (98 inches).

17 March 1878, Halifax, Nova Scotia: Late-winter thunderstorm strikes with thunder that booms like cannon fire. Lightning bolt enters home, hurling young woman sitting at the family piano across the room.

17 March 1998, Calgary, Alberta: The city experiences its worst March snowstorm in 113 years, measuring 32 cm (13 inches) of snow at the airport and from 40 to 45 cm (15-18 inches) in other parts of the city.

18 March 2002, Vancouver, British Columbia: A snowstorm over coastal British Columbia produces the latest and heaviest single-day snowfall on record for the city of Vancouver: 6.5 cm (2.55 inches).

19 March 1964, Cape Whittle, Quebec: 99 cm (39 inches) of snow fall for Quebec's greatest one-day snow total.

19 March 2002, Dawson Creek, British Columbia: Dawson Creek shivvers as the temperature plunges to -37.3°C (-35°F), the coldest temperature ever for this date in the province of British Columbia.

19 March 2012, Northern Ontario: Very mild air combined with a strong March sun sends temperatures soaring to new record maximum levels in Lansdowne House, 22.4°C (72.3°F); Pickle Lake, 20.9°C (69.6°F); and Moosonee, 20.0°C (68°F). Each of these new record highs shatters the previous record by more than 10 degrees Celcius (18 degrees Fahrenheit).

20 March 2002, Southwest British Columbia/Vancouver Island: For the fourth day in a row snow falls on Victoria and Vancouver, the latest, and deepest, major snowfall ever recorded in that part of the province. The first days of Spring accumulate between 10 and 15 cm (4-6 inches) of snow

21 March 1876, Montreal, Quebec: More than a metre (40 inches) of snow stops traffic in Montreal. Trains are delayed, and mail carriers resort to snowshoes.

22 March 2001, Southern Quebec: Welcome to Spring! Another winter storm dumps 20 to 50 cm (8-20 inches) of snow on southern Quebec closing many highways. More than 40,000 Hydro-Quebec customers lose power, nearly half of those for almost 48 hours.

22 March 2012, Western Head, Nova Scotia: The high temperature at Western Head soars to 29.2°C (84.6°F), breaking their previous record for the date (10.6°C / 51.1°F in 1969) by 18.6 C° (33.5 F°.)

23 March 1972, Halifax, Nova Scotia: City's wettest March day in history records 90.2mm (3.55 inches) of mixed precipitation, mostly rain.

24 March 2011, White Rock, British Columbia: White Rock sets a record high temperature with a reading of 18.5°C (65.3°F).

25 March 1961, Prince Edward Island: The fifth major snowstorm of the month prompts the provincial government to declare a state of emergency. Snow drifts of 10-metres (33 ft) or more reach overhead power lines.

26 March 1997, Fraser Canyon, British Columbia: Mudslide wipes out 50 m (164 ft) of CN rails causing an eastbound freight train to plunge from the tracks. Two crewmen die and fears of chemical spill abound.

27 March 1946, Winnipeg, Manitoba: Winnipeg thaws as mercury soars to 23.3°C (74°F), the warmest March temperature on record for the city.

27-28 March 2006, St John's, Newfoundland: A Sheila's Brush storm — a fierce spring snowstorm following St. Patrick's Day— blows across the city with winds gusting to 80 km/h (50 mph). The storm dumps 32 cm (11 inches) of snow, shutting down most of the provincial capital.

28 March 1986, Southern Alberta: Violent winds strip Albertan field of top soil, reducing visibility to a few kilometres. In Lethbridge, the winds topple trees and pull out several windows in an office tower.

28 March 2011, Eastern Prairie Provinces: A high-pressure system brings arctic air to the Prairies. The temperature falls to -28.4°C (-19.2°F) in Grand Rapids, Manitoba, and several Saskatchewan communities set new low temperature records including Watrous and Spiritwood.

29 March 2006, Southern Ontario: Most of southern Ontario from Windsor to North Bay and east to the Ottawa Valley lies under a pall of summer-style smog as warm temperatures with southwesterly winds prevail.

29 March 2010, The Eastern Prairies: Temperatures spike in parts of the eastern Prairies. Estevan, Saskatchewan takes the top spot at 20.8°C (69°F) -- making it the hot spot in the nation. Melita, Manitoba and Weyburn, Saskatchewan climb to 19.8°C (68°F) while Winnipeg, Manitoba hits a record 18.2°C (65°F)

29-31 March 1848, Niagara Falls, Ontario: Ice dam on Lake Erie near Buffalo, New York stops flow of water over Niagara Falls for 30 hours.

30 March 1922, Southwest Ontario: Heavy freezing rain menaces southwestern Ontario from the Windsor area to north of Toronto.

31 March 1962, St John's, Newfoundland: St. John's high for the day peaks at 18.3°C (65°F), the warmest March day on record.

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United States

1 March 1910, Stevens Pass, Washington: Deadliest avalanche in U.S. history thunders down the mountains near Wellington Station. Snow sweeps three large locomotive train engines and some passenger cars off the tracks and into canyon burying them under tons of snow. Avalanche claims the lives of more than 100 people.

1 March 1997, Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee: The deadliest tornado outbreak since 1994 strikes Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee. The strong to violent tornadoes, including several of F4 intensity cause 29 deaths.

1 March 2006, North Texas: The day's high temperature of 93°F (33.9 °C) at Dallas/Forth Worth Airport breaks a 107-year-old North Texas record. Other hot North Texas cities include Mineral Wells at 97°F (36.1 °C) , Wichita Falls at 96°F (35.6 °C), Fort Worth Meacham Airport at 90°F (32.2 °C).

1 March 2011, Idaho: Heavy snowfall sets daily accumulation records across Idaho. Among the locations setting new marks are: Pierce, 15 inches (38 cm); Powell, 14.5 inches; (36.8 cm) Potlatch, 12 inches (30.5 cm); and Kellogg and Plummer with 7 inches (17.8 cm).

1-2 March 2011, Washington: The storm that brought heavy snowfalls to the Pacific Northwest generates extreme wind conditions at elevation. A weather station at 10,000 feet (3,050 m) elevation on Mount Ranier measures a wind gust of 137 mph (219 km/h) on March 1st with a sustained 1-minute wind reading of 112 mph (179 km/h), the same as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Wind Scale. An automatic weather station on Mount Baker reports a 116-mph (186 km/h) gust on the 2nd.

1-3 March 1983, California Coast: The last in a succession of storms to strike the California coast ends. Waves 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m) high have pounded the coastline for two days. In a four-day period up to 18 inches (457 mm) of rain drenched the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara area. On the morning of the 1st, severe thunderstorms spawn two tornadoes which moved through the Los Angeles area.

2 March 1846, Virginia and the Carolinas : A great storm hits the Mid-Atlantic Coast causing extensive damage. On Notts Island off North Carolina fifty families drown in the high water along with a thousand cattle.

3-5 March 1960, Massachusetts: Eastern Massachusetts' greatest March snowstorm howls. The storm produces record 24-hour snowfall totals of 27.2 inches (69 cm) at Blue Hill Observatory, 17.7 inches (45 cm) at Worcester, and 16.6 inches (42 cm) at Boston. Winds gusted to 70 mph (112 km/h).

3 March 1953, Oahu, Hawaii: Snow falls on the island of Oahu.

3 March 2003, Miami, Florida: The day's high temperature of 90°F (32.2 °C) is the earliest observed 90°F at Miami since March 5, 1964.

4 March 2004, Oklahoma: Tornado Alley? Oklahoma reports its first tornado in 292 days, a record stretch of days without a reported tornado that began May 16, 2003. An F0 tornado touched down 2 miles north of Muldrow to break the string.

5 March 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota: The city establishes a new record for the fewest number of days between 70 °F (21 °C) temperature readings..from the last date in the autumn to the first date in the spring. This season only 113 days passed, the previous record was 131 days, the average, 175 days.

5 March 2012, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii: A rare supercell thunderstorm moved over Oahu setting the Ilikai Hotel at Waikiki ablaze with lightning strikes and dropping hail 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter on Honolulu. Prior to this event there had been no reports of hail larger than one inch (2.5 cm) since the Hawaiian hailstone records began in 1950.

6 March 1872, Boston, Massachusetts: A cold wave across the East coast sends Boston temperature plunging to -8°F (minus 22.2°C).

6 March 1954, Florida: Greatest modern-day snowfall in Florida history: 4.0 inches (10 cm) at the Milton Experimental Station. Pensacola ties their 24-hour record with 2.1 inches (5.3 cm).

7 March 1932, Northern Atlantic Coast: A severe coastal storm sets barometric pressure records from Virginia to New England. Block Island, Rhode Island measure pressure at 28.20 inches (95.50 kPa).

8 March 1717, Long Island, New York: On Fishers Island in Long Island Sound, 1200 sheep are discovered buried under a snow drift for four weeks. When finally uncovered, one hundred sheep are still alive.

8 March 2004, San Francisco, California: A 112-year-old mark falls in downtown San Francisco when the temperature hits 82°F (27.8 °C), besting a relatively modest record of 78°F (25.6 °C) set in 1892.

8 March 2004, Los Angeles, California: Temperature in downtown LA soars to 93°F (33.9°C), 24 Fahrenheit (13.3 Celsius) degrees above normal.

9 March 1989, New Mexico: Several cities across New Mexico, set high temperature records for March: 72°F (22.2°C) at Los Alamos, 76°F (24.4°C) at Ruidoso, and 79°F (26.1°C) at Quemado.

9 March 2012, Oahu, Hawaii: A morning waterspout moves ashore to become a rare Hawaiian tornado. As it marches through the towns of Lanikai and Kailua, the twister, rated an EF-0 with winds of 60 - 70 mph (96-112 km/h), damages roofs and downs trees along a 1 1/2 mile (2.4 km) long, 20-yard (18 m) wide path.

10 March 1912, Los Angeles/San Diego, California: The barometer reaches 29.26 inches (990.9 mb) at Los Angeles, and 29.46 inches (997.6 mb) at San Diego CA, all-time record low pressure for these two locations.

10 March 2010, Arkansas: Tornadoes cut a path through much of Arkansas. They injure as many as four people and damaged homes at Center Hill and Pearson, communities northeast of Little Rock. The EF2 tornado that caused damage near Pearson killed an elderly man, who became the first to die by a tornado in the US during 2010.

10-11 March 1972, Chicago, Illinois: Chicago's temperature rises from 15°F (-9.4 ° C) on the 10th to 73°F (22.8 ° C) on the 11th. The 58 F deg (32.2 C deg) rise ties the biggest day-to-day rise on record. The city experienced a similar jump in temperature in February 1887.

11 March 2006, Phoenix, Arizona: The record run for dry days finally ends at 143at 12:07 am. The last measured rain here fell on 18 October 2005. The last time the region had significant precipitation was 2 August when 0.59 inch (15 mm) fell. Not only did the rain break the dry spell, it was a record amount for the date: 1.40 inches (35.6 mm). The previous consecutive dry-day mark, set in 1998-99, was 101 days.

11-15 March 1988, Marquette, Michigan: More than one hundred hours of continuous snow bury city under 43 inches (109.2 cm).

12 March 1923, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin: The earliest tornado since records began in 1840 touches down in Milwaukee County. The previous earliest tornado occurred April 2, 1977.

12 March 1923, Chicago, Illinois: Chicago records its lowest pressure ever — 28.70 inches (971.9 mb) as a heavy rain/snow/ice mix blasts the city on gale force winds.

12 March 2006, Fordland, Missouri: High school senior Matt Suter survives being blown 1,307 feet (398.6 m) by a tornado. (The exact distance is determined by NWS GPS.) The twister rips open his grandmother's mobile home and tosses Suter into the night, launching him over a barbed wire fence and eventually depositing him on the soft grass in an open field. He suffers only a head wound from being hit by a lamp.

12-25 March 1935, Southeastern Colorado: A series of suffocating dust storms blow up across southeastern Colorado depositing up to six feet (1.8 m) of dust. Six people die, and many livestock starve or suffocate. Schools are closed, and many rural homes are abandined.

13 March 1977, Baltimore, Maryland: An intense downpour over Baltimore accumulates an inch (2.54 cm) of rain in eight minutes.

14 March 1944, Salt Lake City, Utah: A record 21.6 inches (54.9 cm) of snow falls on Salt Lake City.

14 March 2007, Concord, New Hampshire: Concord's temperaturesoars to a record high of 74°F (23.3°C). This occurs less than one week after a record low temperature of -7 °F (minus 21.7 °C) on 8 March, an 81 F degree (45 C degree) temperature range in six days.

14 March 2008, Atlanta, Georgia: Tornado-like winds rush through downtown Atlanta shortly before 10 pm damaging the Georgia Dome where the SEC men's basketball tournament was underway.

15 March 2003, Los Angeles, California: A deluge covers Los Angeles with 4.10 inches (104 mm) of rain, the second greatest daily accumulation for March in the city.

15 March 2004, Brownsville, Texas: Brownsville breaks a century-old record for the greatest daily rainfall accumulation for March with 3.23 inches (82 mm).

15 March 2012, Southeastern Michigan: As many as three tornadoes rip through southeastern Lower Michigan causing significant property damage. One tornado touches down 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Columbiaville, damaging trees and power lines over a mile-long (1.6 km) path. Farther south, a tornado near Dexter damages more than 100 homes including at least a dozen severely damaged.

16 March 1999, Billings, Montana: A record wind gust of 63 mph for March is recorded at Billings. The old record, 61 mph, occurred in 1956.

16 March 2012, Chicago, Illinois: Today's afternoon high of 82°F (27.8°C) becomes the area's warmest reading ever to occur so early in the year. The a reading, which equals the normal high for June 24, shatters the previous record of 78-degrees set 67-years ago in 1945 and marks the third consecutive day a new record high has been set here.

15-16 March 1941, North Dakota and Minnesota: Beware the Ides of March. The most severe blizzard in modern history strikes North Dakota and Minnesota. The blizzard began on a Saturday night while many are traveling, and thus claims 71 lives. Winds gust to 75 mph ((120 km/h) at Duluth, Minnesota, and reach 85 mph (136 km/h) at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Snow drifts twelve feet high (3.66 m) are reported in north central Minnesota. A cold front traveling 30 mph (50 km/h) crosses Minnesota in just seven hours.

16-17 March 2002, Anchorage, Alaska: Alaskan snowstorm dumps 28.7 inches (73 cm) of snow on Anchorage, breaking the old daily record of 15.6 inches (40 cm). Snow amounts range from 24 to 29 inches (61-73 cm) at lower elevations

17 March 1906, Snake River, Wyoming:The coldest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous US for the month of March as Snake River plunges to minus 50°F (minus 45.6 °C) .

17 March 2007, Utah:All-time March high temperature records are set in several Utah locations: Zion National Park: 91°F (32.8°C);, Hanksville: 88°F (31.1°C) ; Cedar City: 78°F (25.6°C) and Heber City: 74°F (23.3°C) .

17 March 2010, Montana:Powerful downslope winds bring record high temperatures into at Billings, 73°F (22.8 °C)-degrees) and Miles City, 71°F (21.7°C).

17 March 2012, International Falls, Minnesota: International Falls, often regarded as "Icebox of the Nation" sets a truly phenomenal weather record for warmth. The city's temperature soars to 77°F (25°C), which is the city's hottest March temperature on record. It also sits 42°F (23.3 C°) above the city's average high temperature for the date.

18 March 1925, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana: The Tri-State Tornado of 1925 reeks havoc across portions of three states. An estimated 695 deaths are attributed along the 219-mile (350 km) long storm path, the most deaths ever recorded in the US from a single tornado.

18 March 2011, Northern California:Whirlwinds visit the region this Friday morning. First an EF-1 tornado hits Santa Rosa, around 9:15 am. Then, nine minutes later, a waterspout churns across San Francisco Bay just south of Golden Gate Park.

18-19 March 2003, Denver, Colorado: Colorado's capital city has to dig out from the second-biggest snowstorm in its history. Almost 2.5 feet (75cm) of wet snow over 36 hours shuts down the city. The month ends as the snowiest March on record for the city.

19 March 1950, Timberline Lodge, Oregon: The snowpack measures 246 inches (625 cm) deep at Timberline Lodge, a snow-on-the-ground record for the state of Oregon.

20 March 2005, South San Francisco, California: A severe storm crossing through South San Francisco spawns an F-1 tornado. Crossing an industrial park and residential area, the tornado damages at least 20 homes and 20 businesses, including the city's new fire station, and uproots trees.

20 March 2006, Grand Island, Nebraska: Snow accumulates to 17.8 inches (45.2 cm) over 24 hours, breaking the old local record for most snowfall in a day by 4.8 inches (12.2 cm). The total snowfall over 48 hours is also a record total: 29.7 inches (75.4 cm)

20-21 March 1948, Juneau, Alaska: The city receives 31 inches (32 cm) of snow in 24 hours, a record for the state capitol.

21 March 1952, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky: Severe thunderstorms spawn thirty-one tornadoes across these states, killing 343 persons and causing 15 million dollars damage. The town of Henderson, Tennessee is nearly wiped off the map.

21 March 1952, Judsonia, Arkansas: One of thirteen tornadoes reported across Arkansas, the worst tornado outbreak on record for the state, obliterates the town of Judsonia. The 1.5 mile wide tornado leaves a church the only undamaged building.

21 March 2012, Eugene, Oregon: Eugene, Oregon accumulates 7.5 inches (19 cm) of snow, the largest snowstorm this late in the year on record.

22 March 1888, Chicago, Illinois: Chicago's morning low dips to -1 °F (minus 18.3 °C), the latest sub zero Fahrenheit reading in the city's history.

22 March 1954, Chicago, Illinois: The Chicago River overflows its banks as 6 to 10 inches (152 to 250 mm) of rain drench the City and surrounding area.

23 March 1913, Omaha, Nebraska: Vicious tornado hits the city during the late afternoon on Easter Sunday. In just twelve minutes, it cut a swath of total destruction five miles (8 km) long and two blocks wide. Storm kills 94 persons and causes 3.5 million dollars property damage.

23 March 2007, Clovis, New Mexico: A tornado obliterates a section of this eastern New Mexico city flattening about 100 homes and businesses, snapping telephone poles and even heaving a trailer through a bowling alley. At least three schools are damaged. The tornado is one of thirteen that strike a dozen communities along the New Mexico–Texas border, leaving two people critically injured.

23 March 2011, Pennsylvania: Severe thunderstorms marching across Pennsylvania spawn a series of tornadoes. A tornado, confirmed by the US National Weather Service, struck Greensburg at 4:15 pm. Later that evening, tornado touches down in Hempfield Township in southwestern Pennsylvania and severely damages dozens of homes and a high school auditorium where students are rehearsing a play.

24 March 1912, Kansas City, Missouri: Kansas City residents dig out from a snowstorm that dumps 25 inches (63.5 cm) of snow in 24 hours. The snowfall is nearly twice that of any previous storm on record.

24 March 1912, Haines, Alaska: As much as 20 inches (50 cm) of snow falls at Haines in the northern Alaskan Panhandle by early afternoon.

24 March 1975, Atlanta, Georgia: Tornado causes considerable damage to the governor's mansion and surrounding areas, resulting in three deaths and $56.5 million damage.

25 March 1914, Society Hill, South Carolina: Society Hill is buried under 18 inches (45 cm) of snow, establishing a state record.

26 March 1954, Allaket, Alaska: The temperature at Allaket plumets to minus 69 °F (minus 56 °C).

27 March 1890, Louisville, Kentucky: One tornado in an outbreak across the Ohio Valley strikes Louisville, killing 78 persons and causing four million dollars damage.

27 March 2008, Redmond, Oregon: Under clear skies and light winds, the temperature plunges to 12°F (-11 °C), breaking the daily low temperature record.

28 March 1955, Marianna, Florida: Florida's latest measurable snowfall as Marianna measures one inch (2.5 cm). Ground is whitened further south in Panama City.

28-31 March 1935, Amarillo, Texas: A great dust storm descends on Amarillo, reducing visibility to zero for one six-hour period.

29 March 1920, Clear Spring, Maryland: A late-season snow storm buries Clear Spring under 31 inches (78.7 cm) of snow in 24 hours establishing a state record.

29 March 2007, Carbondale, Illinois: At Carbondale Community High School's first home track meet of the season, a lightning bolt kills 18-year-old Corey Williams.

29 March 2011, Boreal and Squaw Valley Ski Resorts, California: Boreal Ski Resort's total snowfall for this season now tallies a record 766 inches (1945 cm) with the season far from over. Over 61 feet (18.6 m) of snow has fallen in the Sierra high country so far this snow season with records already set at many ski resorts, including Squaw Valley where nearly 59 feet (18 m) of snow has fallen.

30 March 1823, Northeastern States: A great storm with hurricane-force winds rages from Pennsylvania to Maine. The storm is most severe over New Jersey with high tides, uprooted trees and heavy snow inland.

30-31 March 2003, Central Atlantic States: March goes out like a lion in several eastern states as a snow storm reminded residents winter had one last blow. The heaviest snowfall falls in the eastern West Virginia mountains, with 16.5 inches (42 cm) at Davis. Blacksburg, Virginia, collectes 11 inches (28 cm). A foot (30 cm) or more fell at Boone and West Jefferson in North Carolina.

31 March 1890, Saint Louis, Missouri: Saint Louis is blanketed with 20.4 inches (51.8 cm) of snow in 24 hours, the worst snowstorm of record for the St Louis.

31 March 2010, Jacksonville, Florida: At Jacksonville's International Airport, the record streak of days with high temperatures below 80°F (26.7°C), came to an end at 105 days, exceeding the previous record streak by two days.. Wednesday's 80°F temperature reading is also Jacksonville's first of the year. The previous latest first 80-degree reading occurred at the airport on March 14, 1978.

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World

March 1901, Western Europe to Ural Mountains: 150 million tonnes of red dust from the Sahara Desert spreads over western Europe as far east as the Ural Mountains of Russia.

1 March 1990, Europe: Much of Europe is affected by a major storm system. The barometer drops to 939.7 millibars (27.75 inches Hg) in Finland to set a national record. The storm fells as much timber in Germany as would normally be cut in an entire year.

1 March 2012, Amman, Jordan: Snow covers the streets of Amman. A polar storm system brings snow to most of Jordan, including areas in Mafraq, Jerash, the Ajloun and Irbid areas, Madaba and Zarqa.

2 March 2001, French Riveria: First snowfall in over 15 years hits the mountains of the Ardeche region dropping up to about 50 cm (20 inches). The storm is responsible for power outages to more than 100,000 homes.

2 March 2001, Las Palmas, Grand Canaria: The high temperature in Las Palmas, the capital of Grand Canaria, reaches 30.5°C (86.9 °F), its highest March temperature in 45 years.

1-2 March 2011, Adriatic Region of Italy and Slovenia: Winds of hurricane strength pound the northern Adriatic regions of Italy and Slovenia. At Trieste, Italy, winds gust from 120 to 144 km/h (75-90 mph) The storm also dumps torrential rains swept across the region that causes rivers in Italy's central Adriatic Le Marche region to burst their banks.on Wednesday (March 2). At least three are reported dead from the flooding.

3 March 2002, Yap Islands: Typhoon Mitag strikes Yap Main Island maximum sustained winds are estimated at 175 km/h (109 mph), with gusts up to 212 km/h (132 mph). The atolls of Ifalik, Woleai, and Eauripik are reported to have sustained major damage, but fortunately no deaths or serious injuries are reported.

4 March 2006, Bagerhat District, Bangladesh: A tornado in the southern part of the country destroys approximately 500 dwellings and uproots hundreds of trees. More than 50 are injured; 4 deaths result.

4-5 March 1899, Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Cyclone Mahina, aka the Bathurst Bay Hurricane, crosses the Great Barrier Reef killing 400, the worst cyclone-related disaster in Australian history. Central pressure estimated at 91.4 kPa (26.90 inches). Storm produces the highest storm surge ever recorded: 13 m (42.6 ft) surge in Bathurst Bay.

4-6 March 2004, Central South Korea: A heavy snowstorm strands 4,000 motorists in the central provinces of North and South Chungcheong. Nearly 60 cm (2 feet of snow) accumulates in some areas, the greatest single-day snowfall on record (since 1904).

5 March 1990, Perth, Western Australia: Perth's hottest March day in over 100 years of record sizzles at 42.3°C (108 °F).

6 March 2010, Melbourne, Australia: Powerful thunderstorms strike Melbourne with high winds and hail the size of golf balls falling for 10 minutes. Some hailstones are as large as baseballs and even softballs. The hail damages landmark buildings across the city including holes tore in the South Cross Train Station and major roof damage to the Etihad Stadium and the Arts Centre.

6-7 March 2005, Algeria: Heavy rainfall produces flooding in the Saharan desert region causing 2 deaths and 9 injuries.

7 March 2004, Madagascar: Cyclone Gafilo rages across northeast Madagascar sporting winds of 234 km/h (146 mph). The tropical storm appears to have sunk the Samson, a ferry carrying 72 passengers and 18 crew between the Indian Ocean islands of Comoros and Madagascar.

7-8 March 2011, Greece: Snowstorms sweep through Greece causing hazardous conditions on roads and highways and hampering sea traffic. Heavy snow fell as far south as the Peloponnese peninsula, blown by winds gusting to 128 km/hr (80 mph). Morning temperatures on the 8th drop to 0°C (32°F) in Athens where the snowcovers the Parthenon and other temples of the Acropolis including the ancient Temple of Zeus in downtown Athens.

8 March 1972, Thule, Greenland: Wind gust of 333 km/h (207 mph) recorded at Thule AFB.

8 March 2006, South Canterbury, New Zealand: When pigs fly. A local resident reports a kune kune pig was lifted by a tornado and flung through the air to land unharmed in a nearby paddock.

8 March 2007, Port Hedland, Australia: Tropical Cyclone George hammers Port Hedland with maximum sustained winds near 205 km/hr (125 mph). The storm is the most destructive cyclone to affect Port Hedland since 1975

8 March 2007, Djelfa, Algeria: Severe thunderstorms drop more than 100 mm (3.94 inches) of rain fell in just a few hours in the Djelfa region, about 270 km (170 miles) south of Algiers. Six die in flash flooding.

8 March 2010, Northeastern Spain and South-central France: Heavy snow disrupts travel, closes schools and knocks out power over northeastern Spain and neighboring south-central France. The main highway at La Jonquera across Spain's border with France closes stranding 4,000 trucks. As much as 30 cm (a foot) of snow fell at Perpignan, France.

9 March 1911, Aibonito, Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico's coldest day: 4.4°C (40 °F) at Aibonito.

9 March 2005, Greymouth, New Zealand: In this West Coast town, a tornado cuts a 300-meter (~1,000 feet) wide path of destruction through the town.Fortunately, no injuries are reported.

9-13 March 1891, Southern England and Wales: Great Blizzard strikes southern England and Wales with storm winds on the seas. 220 people are reported dead; 65 ships founder in the English Channel; 6000 sheep perish. Countless trees are uprooted and trains buried in snow. Up to a foot of snow and snowdrifts of 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) were recorded at Dulwich, London, Torquay, Sidmouth and Dartmouth.

9 March 1911, Aibonito, Puerto Rico: Coldest temperature ever on this Carribean Island: 4.4°C (40 °F).

9 March 2001, Zahony, Hungary: The rain-swollen Tisza River reaches its highest level in 100 years peaking at 7.50 m (25 feet) in the village of Zahony. Twenty villages are evacuated and more than 30,000 individuals have fled their homes due to the flooding.

10 March 2008, Southern Great Britain: Hurricane-force winds and heavy rain pound the south of Britain, disrupting travel, downing power lines and flooding regions of the southwest. The storm's highest gusts are clocked at about 153 km/hr (95 mph) on the Isle of Wight.

10 March 2010, Madagascar: Disaster officials report at least 36 people have died and more than 38,000 made homeless by Tropical Storm Hubert. The storm hit the southeast coast of this island nation.

11 March 2001, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia: Dubbo records 26.8mm (1.06 inches) of rain in just an hour.

12 March 1995, Bahrain: Bahrain's wettest day on record. 67.9mm (2.67 inches) of rain falls on a region whose annual average rainfall is only 70.8mm (3.1 inches). Rainfall total for March of 139.5mm (5.49 inches) makes it Bahrain's wettest month since 1902.

12 March 2003, Eastern India: Severe thunderstorms strike eastern India, resulting in 14 deaths and 200 injuries in the state of West Bengal. Strong winds and hail uproot trees, flatten hundreds of homes, kill thousands of cattle and poultry and damage crops in the West Bengal state.

12 March 2006, Prague, Czech Republic: Snow, accumulating to as much as 30 cm (8 inches), closes Prague's Ruzyne Airport.

14 March 2002, Ouanaham, Lifou, French Loyalty Islands: A tropical depression drops 227 mm (8.93 inches) of rain in 24 hours at Ouanaham.

14 March 2007, Jordan: A rare winter storm drops as much as 10 cm (4 inches of snow) on parts of Jordan, closing roads, schools and businesses. Most banks and some government offices close in Amman within hours of opening.

14-17 March 1998, The Middle East : Choking sandstorms batter the Middle East, claiming four lives, leaving 29 people injured, and forcing the Suez Canal, airports and seaports to close.

15 March 1952, Cilaos, Reunion Island: Over 183 cm (72 inches) of rain fall on the western Indian Ocean island, greatest global 24-hour total rainfall.

15 March 2007, Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Indlala makes landfall along the island's northeastern coast just south of Antalaha. The category 4 storm packs maximum sustained winds near 195 km/hr (120 mph).

15 March 2012, Paris, France: Parisians bask in 23°C (73°F) heat and abundant sunshine. The day finds many sunbathing on the banks of the Seine.

16 March 2011, Otsuchi, Japan: Less than a week after a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami annihilated this small Japanese fishing town ,an unseasonal snowstorm blankets the field of debris and temperatures drop below freezing.

17-24 March 1999, Western Australia: Intense Tropical Cyclone Vance (Category 5) moves across portions of Western Australia. A record wind gust for the Australian mainland of 267 km/h (167 mph) is recorded at the Learmonth Meteorological Office.

17 March 2003, Greece: A powerful storm system crosses the Mediterranean Sea causing wind damage and power outages across Greece and hitting heavy snowfall in the southern Peloponnesian region. Hurricane-force winds sweep parts of the Aegean Sea.

17-23 March 2003, Northern Afghanistan: A week of heavy rainfall floods parts of northern Afghanistan's Samangan and Kunduz provinces. The flooding causes at least 11 deaths and damages or destroys hundreds of homes.

18 March 1286, Inverkeithing, Scotland: King Alexander III of Scotland dies when blown off a cliff by a violent easterly gale.

18 March 1990, Sydney, Australia: An intense hailstorm strikes Sydney region producing hailfalls, violent wind squalls and heavy rain in a swathe from Camden to Narrabeen and causing extensive damage. Hailstones are measured up to 8 cm (3.15 inches) in diameter. The total insured damage bill is estimated at $A314 million, the third largest loss event in Australian insurance history

18 March 2010, Pakistan: Extreme heat sends the thermometer soaring to 41.8°C (107 °F) in the seaside city of Karachi. Within Sindh province, Chhor reportes a high of 44°C (111 °F)

19 March 2001, North Germany, South Denmark and Sweden: A heavy snowstorm blankets the region. In Germany, Flensburg reports 16 cm (6.3 inches) snow and Eggebek, 18 cm (7.1 inches).

19 March 2006, Northeastern Australia: Cyclone Larry, the most powerful storm to hit Australia in three decades, slams onto the Australian coast south of Cairns. A Category 5 storm, Larry packs wind gusts of up to 290 kph (180 mph), devastating sugar and banana plantations and possibly leaving thousands homeless.

20 March 1986, Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland: Wind gust of 278 km/h (173 mph) recorded, the highest ever recorded in the United Kingdom.

20 March 1990, Welkom, South Africa: Multi-vortex tornado races through the suburbs of Welkom, destroying 4000 homes.

21 March 2002, Ecuador: Heavy rains trigger flooding and landslides throughout Ecuador leaving13 people dead and more than 6,000 people homeless.

22 March 2010,St. Thomas, Virgin Islands: On St. Thomas, the temperature at the airport reaches a record-setting 31.1°C (88 °F).

23 March 2012,London, England: London's high temperature rises to 20°C (68 °F).

24 March 2002, Korea: The worst sand/duststorm in 40 years affects Korea caused by gale-force winds in the desert areas of Mongolia and northern China.

25 March 2011,Kuwait : A violent sandstorm pushed by 80 km/h (50 mph) winds raises a dense wall of sand that reduces visibility to 500 meters (1600 ft) or less. The storm closes the international airport and halts oil exports.

24-26 March 2003, Middle East: A strong storm system crossing the eastern Mediterranean brings significant weather to the Middle East. Strong winds raise severe sandstorms over large portions of Saudia Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait, severely affecting US and coalition military operations in the area.

26 March 1968, United Kingdom : The UK experiences its wettest March day on record when 164.3 mm (6.47 inches) of rain falls at Glen Etive, Highland. Ardgour House, Highland measures 163 mm (6.42 inches), while 161 mm (6.34 inches) falls at Broadford, Skye and 159 mm (6.26 inches) at Kinlochewe.

26-28 March 2004, Coastal Brazil : The first ever confirmed hurricane in the South Atlantic Ocean strikes the coast of Brazil. Named Catarina hit the coasts of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states with heavy rains and winds, before dissipating over land late on the 28th.

27 March 2006, Hamburg, Germany: A rare tornado touches down in this northern German city and overturns three construction cranes, killing two workers and injuring two others. The storm also rips off roofs and overturns several cars. Power is cut to 80,000 homes.

28 March 2001, Eastern Punjab Province, Pakistan: Amid the first heavy general rains to hit this parched nation in nearly one year, a tornado strikes the village of Chak Miran, killing four people, injuring dozens and destroying 100 homes.

29 March 1968, The Netherlands: Hottest Dutch temperatures in March as the thermometer soars to 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in Gemert and Venlo.

29 March 2010, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas: Police report a tornado touched down in at least two places on the island of Grand Bahama. One storm uprooted several trees near the tourist area of Freeport.and flipped cars and damaged buildings.

29-30 March 2012, Nandi, Fiji: A tropical low pressure system brings widespread flooding to parts of Fiji. Among the hardest hit areas is the western side of the main island Viti Levu. Nandi, home to Fiji's International Airport, receives over 280 mm (11 inches) of rain.

30 March 2006, Chak Miran, Pakistan: A tornado kills four.

31 March 2006, Hung Thanh, Vietnam: Lightning kills five rice farmers and injures five others harvesting rice in this Dong Thap province village.

The Weather Doctor's Diary ©2013 Keith C. Heidorn, PhD. All Rights Reserved.
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