If Wednesday's blog entry didn't convince you about the unpredictability of March weather in southwestern Connecticut, yesterday's weather most certainly did. Thursday's high temperature was just 38 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which is eight degrees below normal and more in line with what we would expect in early February. However, one year ago yesterday the high temperature was a record-breaking 70 degrees.
The chart above illustrates the contrast between yesterday's high temperatures and the highs from one year ago in six select locations. The mercury couldn't escape the 30s in Central Park and LaGuardia Airport Thursday afternoon, while the normal high temperature in both locations is just about 50 degrees. One year ago, both locations recorded a high temperature of 70 degrees.
A gusty Northwest wind made it feel even colder yesterday. The highest wind speed was 28 miles an hour, and the highest wind gust was clocked at 37 miles an hour at the airport, producing wind chill values in the upper teens to low-to-mid 20s. The average wind speed yesterday was over 15 miles an hour.
Today won't be quite as windy or as cold as yesterday, but there is a chance of a shower late in the day. An early rain or snow shower is possible tonight with low temperatures dropping into the upper 20s inland and lower 30s along the shoreline. We'll enjoy the Luck of the Irish this weekend with daytime high temperatures in the lower 40s each day. Saturday will be partly sunny, while Sunday --- St. Patrick's Day --- will be mostly sunny and seasonably cool.
Paul
