FOR MARCH, 1892. General Remarks. The following comparative statement of the mean temperature for March shows that the mean for March, 1892, is lower than in any year except 1888. The normal temperature for the whole state is very nearly 36 degrees. The month was cold, wet and generally unpleasant. About the usual amount of snow fell and was fairly well distributed. In the northern counties and in elevated regions the snow remained on the ground during greater part of the month. In other sections it did not cover the ground for sufficient length of time to protect grain from effects of freezing and thawing weather. However, no great damage to crops has been reported. The rainfall was above the average, and it, too, was well distributed. Mean temperature and departure from normal: March, 1888, mean 31°.1, 4 to 5° below normal. Mean rainfall: March, 1888, 3.55 inches. March, 1889, 2.90 inches. March, 1890, 5.15 inches. March, 1891, 5.10 inches. March, 1892, 4.14 inches. Temperature. The mean temperature for March, 1892, was 32°.0, which is nearly 4°.0 below the normal, and 2°.1 below the corresponding month of 1891. The mean of the daily maxima and minima temperatures 40°.1 and 23°.5 give an average daily range of 16°.6, and a monthly mean of 31°.8. Highest monthly mean, 37°.8 at Altoona. Lowest monthly mean, 25°.1 at Wellsboro. Highest temperature recorded during the month, 66°.0 on the 26th at Meadville. Lowest temperature, minus 4° on the 21st at Wellsboro. Greatest local monthly range, 64° at Meadville. Least local monthly range, 40° at Lancaster and Philadelphia. Greatest daily range, 48° at Columbus on the 21st. From January 1, 1892, to March 31, 1892, the deficiency in temperature at Philadelphia was 143°, at Erie 154°, and at Pittsburg 124°. The warmest days of the month were the 25th and 26th. The coldest were the 21st and 22d. Barometer. The mean pressure for the month, 30.04, is about .02 above the normal. At the United States weather bureau stations, the highest observed was 30.57 at Pittsburg, on the 21st, and the lowest 29.33 at Harrisburg, on the 8th. Precipitation. The average precipitation, 4.14 inches for the month, is an excess of about 1.00 inch. The largest totals in inches (including melted snow) were, Lancaster, 6.61; Wilkesbarre, 6.46; Kennett Square, 5.00; West Chester, 5.89; Phoenixville, 5.70, and Lewisburg, 5.53. The least were Wysox, 2.04; Newcastle, 2.22; Drifton, 2.14; Erie, 2.20; Sægertown, 2.27, and Pittsburg, 2.29. The largest monthly snowfall totals in inches were Girardville, 36.5; Blue Knob, 35.5; Huntingdon, 32.5; LeRoy, 32.2; Lock Haven, 29.5, and Selinsgrove, 29.4. Wind and Weather. The prevailing wind was from the northwest. Average number: Rainy days, 12; clear days, 11; fair days, 7; cloudy days, 13. Verification of Weather Forecasts. Percentage of local verifications of weather and temperature signals as reported by displaymen: Weather, 89 per cent.; temperature, 89 per cent. |