As March begins, Arizonans welcome the transition from winter to spring.
People facing a “real” winter may resent that we claim it's winter — the lowest temperature recorded in Phoenix since January 2023 was 35 degrees (in January of both 2023 and 2024) — but it's our winter season and we'll continue to claim it (plus That's what visitors seem to like.)
For the record, it can get cold here. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix was 16 degrees in January 1913. The lowest reading ever seen in March was 25 degrees in 1966. Although the desert is known for being extremely hot, 100 degrees in March is a good temperature. Extreme, even for Arizona.
In fact, the only time it was recorded was in 1988, and this remains the first 100 degree reading in Phoenix. We came close to matching that record in 2007 with 99 degrees, but that's about it.
March provides the kind of weather ideal for spring training, hiking, and other outdoor activities before the heat scorches the valley. In recent years, Phoenix residents have enjoyed average temperatures in the mid-60s throughout March, although the normal range for the month ranges from the low 70s to the low 80s. The average high on the first day of spring is 80 degrees.
In terms of precipitation, March, with an average of 0.83 inches of rain, ranks fourth in terms of precipitation, behind August (0.93 inches), July (0.91 inches), and January and February, both 0.87. inch.
Rain was the main weather story for February after a series of storms dumped 1.32 inches, significantly above average. Some rain gauges in the far northeast valley reached more than 2 inches.
While Valley residents experienced more rain than normal, temperatures in February were closer to normal, with an average high of 72 degrees, a low average of 50.5 degrees, and a 24-hour average of 61.3 degrees. All three were about one degree above normal.
It's still too early to know where March will rank in terms of heat and precipitation, but forecasts call for below-average temperatures and above-average rainfall amounts, says Gabriel Loguero, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix. .
“It just depends on what the overall weather pattern is going to be and whether we get a strong area of high pressure,” Logero said. “There is no clear signal in terms of temperature anomalies as we head into the spring months. Chances are very slim that we will see 100 degrees in March, but you can't rule that out. However, we are more likely to see our first 90 degree day instead So.”
In true Arizona fashion, March begins with weather hovering around 80 degrees, before it cools back down to the low to mid-70s.
If you live in, or are visiting, Phoenix and want to enjoy the fun weather, you can enjoy some spring training games, or explore some of the many spring events that Arizona has to offer, such as the Persian New Year Festival, M3F Music Festival, and the Arizona Aloha Festival to name a few.
March weather trivia
The 100-degree reading on March 26, 1988, still marks the first 100-degree day on record at Sky Harbor International Airport. …There were two 99-degree days, back to back, on March 16 and 17, 2007. …On average, the first 90-degree day in Phoenix is March 30.
Caralyn Nunes writes about weather and related topics for the Arizona Republic and the Central District. Send her an email with story tips at caralin.nunes@arizonarepublic.com.
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