Summary:
- March was relatively cool for much of the western US, slowing what appeared to be an early spring. Temperatures where slightly above normal to 2.5°F below normal over most of the west.
- March extended the relatively dry winter over most of the western US, with northern California to the PNW seeing below normal precipitation. Mountain snowpack for the winter remains below average in California and portions of Oregon but remains above average for much of the northern Cascades and Rockies.
- Drought concerns continue for much of California, Oregon, and portions of eastern Washington.
- The short-term forecast is pointing to a cool/wet period through mid-month, with scattered frost potential depending on the timing of clearing skies between systems.
- The April through June seasonal forecast for the west coast is pointing to a cool and wet April, and then a warm and dry May and June. The overall outlook for the western US to likely end up slightly warmer than normal but staying drier than average for much of the PNW, northern California, and the central Great Basin.
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