Still Breaking Records

Here we go guys! Over 3500 records broken across the U.S. within the past week, over 8,000 records broken for the year. This will be coming to an end very soon. Forget Spring, this is summer weather for most states. For some, temperatures recorded more typical for June or July. Indianapolis sets yet another record. Also, the 80° streak in Chicago, IL continued to 9 Consecutive Days! International Falls, MN has been averaging 40° Above Normal. They tied the record of 57° on the 15th but then set record breaking highs for 6 Days Straight! They recorded 71, 77, 79, 78, 61, and 69 for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Today, respectively. They are forecasting 68° for tomorrow. This will break yet another record of 62° set back in 2000. Just pointing this out because they are considered to be one of the coldest cities in March. Their avg temp is 37°. Just shows you how much of an impact this hot dome of mild air makes.

Here's a list of some facts and record events so far this year in Central Indiana
1. January 31st, 2012-Highest Minimum Temp Set of 50°. Previous Record. 48° in 1988.
2. We had the warmest stretch of mild days to End January and Begin February on record.
3. February 29, 2012-Highest Minimum Temp Set of 45°. Previous Record 44° in 1976.
4. March 14, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 81°. Previous Record 79°. in 1990.
5. March 15, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 80°. Previous Record 77° in 1977.
6. March 17, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 77°. Previous Record 76° in 1894.
7. March 18, 2012-Warmest Low Temperature Tied. 60° was set back in 1874.
8. March 18, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 80°. Previous Record 76° in 1903.
9. March 18-2012-New Record Event. This day marks the 7th consecutive day with temps 70° or above. Previous Record was 6 Days set 1998.*
10. March 19, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 82°. Previous Record 78° in 1921.
11. March 19, 2012-Warmest Low Temperature Recorded of 64°. Previous Record 60° in 1903.
12. March 20, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 83°. Previous Record 80° in 1894.
13.March 20, 2012-Warmest Low Temperature Recorded of 63°. Previous Record 62° in 1921.
14. March 21, 2012-Record High Temperature Set of 84°. Previous Record 82 in 1907.
15. This looks to go down as the Warmest March Ever
16. We've recorded not 1, 2, nor 3. Not 4 or 5 but 6 DAYS this month in March of Temps 80° or higher. This is a record event for the month also.
*NOTE (#9 Above): The streak looks to continue on another 2 Days. This means by Friday, we will have recorded 12 Consecutive Days with temps 70° and above. Forecasting upper 60s for Saturday. This will break the Streak.
Past Temperatures Observations in Indianapolis for Past 10 Days. Well Above Average.

Due to a strong ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, this has resulted in a stretch of mild, record setting days in the Central and Eastern U.S. for the past week. And will continue for the next 2 days. An upper level low pressure system that has been sitting on top of Texas and Oklahoma the past few days bringing rainfall North and West up to Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This will move North east bringing rainfall to Illinois and Indiana tomorrow afternoon, all day Friday, and end Saturday Morning. I put a time stamp on the first sprinkle in Indianapolis between 4pm or 5pm tomorrow. By Saturday Morning Rainfall Totals will range 0.80"-1.25". I think Indy Airport will record an 1". Also, temps will slighly fall back to 60s for the weekend due to the rainfall. I see 60s and 70s from that point on to the next 2 weeks, still above average from mid 50s to finish up March.

Also since Pollen Count is High, its recommended that you shower or give yourself a good wipedown before hitting the sheets (bed) to ease the suffering. This is caused by rising temperatures, strong winds, and lower relative humidity. Just a precaution for the easily abled sneezers.

What's Ahead
The rest of March is currently showing that it will remain above average. But weather patterns are showing changes for the next few months starting with the first half of April. We could see a above normal temperatures falling to average temps then perhaps a below normal pattern by the tail end of the first half of the month. With the return of a cooler pattern comes the return of severe weather. April 1st, maybe warmer than April 7th. This will come more into focus in the coming days. I'll let you know if the winter gear is needed as it is possible lows could dip back into 30s, no promises though!

Here' my UPDATED detailed 10 day outlook for March 21-30:

Tonight:
Partly Cloudy. Mild. Low 63

Thursday:
AM Sunshine. Increasing Clouds in Afternoon. Evening Showers/Thunderstorms. Mild. Near Record. High 79. Record High 82 (1907)

Thursday Night:
Mostly Cloudy. Showers/T'Storms. Low 58

Friday:
Mostly Cloudy. Showers/T'Storm. Cooler but Mild. High 72.

Friday Night:
Mostly Cloudy. Showers/T'Storm. Becoming Cooler. Low 54.

Saturday:
Mostly Cloudy. Scattered Showers. Cooler. High 66.

Saturday Night:
Rain Chances diminish. Cooler. Low 48.

Sunday:
Clearing Clouds give way to Sunshine. High 66.

Sunday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Cool. Low 47.

Monday:
Mostly Sunny & Warmer. High 70.

Monday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Low 54.

Tuesday:
Partly Sunny. Mild. Warmer. High 75.

Tuesday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Low 57.

Wednesday:
Partly Cloudy. Chance of Rain. High 71.

Wednesday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Low 54.

Thursday:
Partly Sunny. Mild. Breezy. High 73.

Thursday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Cool. Low 48.

Friday:
Partly Sunny. Mild. High 73.

Friday Night
Clear and Cool. Low 49.

Saturday
Mostly Sunny. Mild. High 71.

Saturday Night
Clear Skies. Low 51.

Precip
Since March 1st----2.09"
Sice January 1st---6.95"
Since Dec. 1st-----11.45"

Snowfall
Since March 1st----0.7"
Since Jan 1st---- 7.5"
Since Nov. 1st-- 9.8"
**Currently 15.8% of the nations ground is covered in Snow. This is confined to Western portions of the United States. NOAA Snow Depth Map below: