ACON - VA/NC/SC
The Atlantic Coast Observer Network:   Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina
http://members.cox.net/wxr/acon.htm

SUMMARY OF CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA 
MARCH 2004

...NEITHER A LAMB NOR A LION
A QUIET, MILD, DRY MONTH...

Not the typical March for our region! The "winds of March" - in the transition from winter to spring- failed to materialize although most of us noted gusty winds on the 7th. Everyone noted above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall. Rainfall was particularly deficient over southern North Carolina and South Carolina. No major weather events were noted although there were extremes such as the snow in the North Carolina mountains while hail-producing thunderstorms pummeled the Piedmont area in the center of the state at the end of the month.
  • MONTHLY NORTH CAROLINA WEATHER REVIEW NWS RAH in Raleigh now includes an extensive monthly weather review for the state of North Carolina. The review is presented in PDF and WORD formats and includes graphs and pictures. This report is a must for those of you who like to dig deeper into the data. Click the underscored format likes in the previous sentence to view the reports for March 2004.


  • EARTH IS WARMER, HAS THE ATMOSPHERE WARMED TOO? Our man of weather related articles, Kevin Shaw of ACON MD/DE/DC, sends this link to an article on the continuing arguments on global warming and its effects. Thanks Kevin for the article subtitled "research teams still differ on atmospheric warming, but why is now becoming clear."


  • REMINDER All National Weather Service station data listed herein is preliminary and may be subject to change.  The data has not been certified and cannot be used in legal actions.  Only reports certified by the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC can used for these purposes.

ACON VA/NC/SC Member Station Extremes - MARCH 2004
State
Maximum Temperature
Minimum
Temperature
Warmest
Average
Temperature
Coldest
Average
Temperature
Maximum
Precipitation
Minimum
Precipitation
Virginia
84°
Wakefield
12°
Blacksburg
51.7°
Norfolk (FHC)
44.8°
Blacksburg
2.64"
Washington, VA
1.30"
Danville
North Carolina
82°
Elizabeth City,
Raleigh (RDU)
18°
Asheville
55.6°
Wilmington
49.5°
Asheville
3.31"
Raleigh (RDU)
0.28"
Fayetteville
South Carolina
84°
Charleston,
Orangeburg
27°
Anderson,
Florence,
Greenville-Spartanburg
59.7°
Charleston
55.0°
North Myrtle Beach
1.28"
Anderson
0.35"
Florence

(Please note the column denotations table below.)
TEMPERATURE / WINDS/ ELEMENTS

VIRGINIA
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  A      B    C      C1    D      E F     G    H I  J K L  M     N  O P Q R R1 S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
ANN 57.35 37.16 47.26 +2.4  78    26 23   23   0  0 13 0 38 WNW   8  0 0 0 3  0 2400
BCB 56.1  33.5  44.8  +3.4  74    26 12   23   0  0 16 0 43 310°  7  1 0 0 0  2 2400 
BRI 59.8  36.7  48.3  +5.2  79    26 19   23   0  0  9 0             0 0 0 0  0 2400
CEN 59.6  38.2  48.9  +6.8  81    26 22   23   0  0 13 0 44 333°  6  0 0 0 0  0 2400
CHO 59.8  36.7  48.2  +1.9  77  5,26 20   23   0  0 14 0 44 320°  7  0 0 0 0  3 2400 
CTR 67.2  35.0  50.6        82     4 37.3 13   0  0 10 0 26 SW    1  1 0 0 0  0 2400 
DAN 62.1  38.9  50.5  +2.6  81     4 19   23   0  0 11 0 54 330°  7  1 0 0 0  0 2400
DCA 58.0  39.5  48.8  +2.3  77     5 26   23   0  0  5 0 53 310°  6  0 0 0 1  0 2400
IAD 57.5  35.0  46.3  +2.9  78    26 19   23   0  0 15 0 44 320°  7  0 0 0 1  1 2400
FCH 56.0  39.7  47.9        76    26 20   23   0  0  2 0             1 1 3 1  0 2400 
HAM 59    39    49.0        82     4 21   23   0  0 10 0 40 NW    7  1 0 0 0  0 2400
HER 56.2  36.3  46.2  +2.8  76.8  26 23.0 23   0  0 15 0 29       7  0 0 0 0    2400
HRN 56.0  36.2  46.3  +2.9  77.3  26 20.0 23   0  0 14 0 32 WNW   6  0 0 0 0  0 2400
                                                         32 SSW  20
LKU                                                                             2400 
LYH 59.9  36.2  48.0  +2.0  78     4 16   23   0  0 11 0 49 280°  7  0 0 0 0  3 2400 
LXI                                                                                    
NEW 60.19 33.67 46.93 +2.0  80    26 15   23   0  0 14 0 51 W    12  0 0 0 0  0 1800
NPN 59.9  39.9  49.9        83     4 22   23   0  0  6 0 38 NW    7  4 0 0 0  1 2400
NOR 59.7  41.3  50.5  +2.0  82     4 29  14,23 0  0  4 0             1 0 0 0  0 2400 
ORF 61.2  43.4  52.3  +3.3  83   4,5 32  14,20 0  0  2 0 44 240°  6  2 0 0 0  1 2400
FHC             51.7        82     4 32   23   0  0  1 0 44 202°  2             2400 
POR 61.5  41.7  51.6  +1.5  83   4,5 28   23   0  0  4 0 39 338°  7  1 0 0 0  0 2400
MEC 62.58 40.16 51.58       82     4 20   23   0  0  8 0             1 0 0 0  0 1700
RIC 60.9  39.1  50.0  +2.3  82     4 21   23   0  0  9 0 48 310°  7  1 0 0 0  0 2400
RGL 61.5  36.47 48.99 +1.29 79.9  26 18.9 23   0  0 13 0 40 N     7  1 0 0 0  0 2400
ROA 60.8  39.5  50.1  +2.9  78    26 21   23   0  0  9 0 51 310°  7  0 0 0 0  0 2400
ROK 61.4  37.9  49.6  +2.8  78  4,26 18   23   0  0  9 0 37 NW    8  0 0 0 0  0 2230
AKQ 61    38    49.5        84     4 16   23   0  0 12 0                        2400 
WOO 57.0  38.2  47.6                           0  0 10 0             0 0 0 1  3 2400
WSH 57.2  36.4  46.8        77.6  26 21.1 23   0  0 12 0 22 ENE  19  0 0 0 1  0 2400
NORTH CAROLINA
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  A      B    C      C1    D      E F    G     H I  J K L  M     N  O P Q R R1 S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
AVL 61.4  37.6  49.5  +3.2  76    28 18   23   0  0 10 0 48 330°  7  0 0 0 1  0 2400
CLT 66.1  41.5  53.8  +1.0  81     4 21   23   0  0  6 0 54 310°  7  1 0 0 0  1 2400
ECG 61.7  42.2  52.0  +0.2  82     4 26   23   0  0  5 0 52 310°  7  2 0 0 0  1 2400
FAY 67.9  42.7  54.9        80     4 27   23   0  0  4 0 61 330°  7  1 0 0 0  0 2400
GSO 61.5  40.9  51.2  +2.1  80     4 23   23   0  0  5 0 55 280°  7  1 0 0 0  4 2400
HKY 63.2  41.1  52.2  +2.2  79     4 22   23   0  0  6 0 51 330°  7  0 0 0 0  4 2400
LBT 67.7  42.1  54.9  +2.5  79   4,5 24   23   0  0  6 0 59 310°  7  0 0 0 0  1 2400
RAL 64.3  40.1  52.2  +1.5  82     4 21   23   0  0  8 0 38       7  1 1 0 0  3 2400
RDU 64.0  41.2  52.6  +1.9  82     4 23   23   0  0  6 0 47 350°  7  2 1 0 0  2 2400
ROX 62.6  41.1  51.9        81     4 21   23   0  0  5 0 54 N     7  2 0 0 0  2 2200
ILM 67.5  43.7  55.6  +0.6  80     4 28   23   0  0  4 0 60 330°  7  3 0 0 0  0 2400
SOUTH CAROLINA
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  A      B    C      C1    D      E F    G     H I  J K L  M     N  O P Q R R1 S
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND 68.3  43.3  55.8  +2.9  82    28 27    22  0  0  5 0 54 330°  7  2 0 0 0  1 2400
CAE 70.9  44.9  57.9  +2.5  83    28 28    11  0  0  4 0 40 320°  7  1 0 0 0  2 2400
CHS 72.6  46.8  59.7  +2.0  84 19,28 30    11  0  0  2 0 44 340°  7  0 0 0 0  3 2400
CRE 65.3  44.8  55.0  +1.3  78    28 30 23,24  0  0  4 0 41 300°  7  0 0 0 0  3 2400
FLO 70.2  43.9  57.0  +1.2  81   4,5 27    11  0  0  4 0 53 330°  7  0 0 0 0  3 2400
GSP 66.9  43.7  55.3  +3.7  80    28 27    23  0  0  4 0 40 280°  7  2 0 0 0  2 2400
OGB 71.5  45.5  58.5        84    28 31 11,23  0  0  3 0 42 320°  7  0 0 0 0  1 2400
NEARBY STATIONS
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  A      B    C      C1    D      E F    G    H  I  J K L  M     N  O P Q R R1 Sl
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRI 61.8  37.7  49.8  +3.3  78   28   18    23 0  0 10 0 47 290°   7 1 0 0 0  3 2400
DAV 46.7  29.2  38.0        69 5,26    9    23 0  5 19 0             1 1 1 1  5 1900

(Please note the column denotations table below.)
PRECIPITATION / BAROMETRIC PRESSURE

VIRGINIA
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  T      T1     U       V      V1   W X    Y      Z  1  2 3    4    5      6       7        S 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
ANN  2.25  -2.17 0.98  6 0.98     6 13 0  6.81    T  8  3 0    T   6.9  30.55  25 29.58   6 2400
BCB  2.63  -1.20 0.62 16 0.62    16 13 0  8.21  1.3 10  6 0  2.5  30.7                      2400
BRI  2.19  -1.13 0.90 16 0.90    16  8 0  5.69    T            T  25.2  30.50     29.80     0515/1600
CEN  1.75  -2.04 0.79  6 0.79     6 11 0  5.39    T     2 0    T  16.9  30.53  24 29.61   6 2400
CHO  1.55  -2.50 0.88 16 0.88    16  7 0  4.89                          30.54  25 29.59   6 2400
DAN  1.30  -2.95 0.46 16 0.64 15-16  7 0  5.36    T 10  1 0    T        30.57  25 29.66  31 2400
DCA  2.09  -1.51 0.85  6 0.85     6 13 0  5.78    T 17  1 0    T  12.2  30.55  25 29.57   6 2400
IAD  2.05  -1.50 0.96  6 0.96     6 12 0  5.33    T 18  1 0    T  17.4  30.54  25 29.57   6 2400
                                                   6,24
FCH  1.57        0.71  6 0.94   6-7 12 0  5.36    T     3      T  15.0                      2400
HAM              0.69    0.76 15-16                                                         2400
HER  2.19  -1.36 1.05  6 1.05     6 13 1  6.40    T 10  1      T  20.7  30.57  25 29.48   6 2400
HRN  2.24  -1.31 0.98  6 0.98     6 14 0  6.23    T     1 0    T  19.5  30.483 25 29.578  6 2400
LKU                                                                                         2400
LYH  1.83  -2.00 0.66 16 0.76 15-16  7 0  5.60  0.0          0.0  12.1  30.57  25 29.66   6 2400
LXI                                                                                         2400
NEW  2.06  -0.50 0.56 16                  5.87    T            T  23.5  30.62 22, 29.86   6 1700
                                                                               23
NPN  2.01        0.77 16 0.83 15-16 11 0  6.23  0.0          0.0   7.1  30.58  25 29.57   7 2400
NOR  2.33  -1.97 0.74 16 0.74    16 11 0  6.39    T 7,  2 0    T   7.2                      2400
                                                    10
ORF  2.09  -1.99 0.58 16 0.62 15-16 11 0  5.50    T 10  1 0    T   6.2  30.63  25 29.57   7 2400
FHC  2.21        0.66 16 0.75    16  8 0  5.28    T 10  0 0    T   6.0  30.615 25 29.569  7 2400
POR  2.14  -2.05 0.56 10 0.60 15-16  9 0  5.63  0.0          0.0   6.5  30.625 25 29.629  7 2400
CTR  1.89        1.22 16 1.24 15-16  9 1  4.87  0.0          0.0   5.4  30.586 25 29.616  7 2400
MEC  2.62        1.37 16 1.38 16-17  7 1  6.66  0.0          0.0   7.4  30.27 24, 29.53   7 1700
                                                                               25
RIC  2.08  -2.01 1.44 16 1.44    16  7 1  5.50  0.0          0.0   6.3  30.62  25 29.65   7 2400
RGL  1.61  -2.48 1.06 16 1.06    16  6 1  4.57  0.0          0.0   3.25 30.56  25 29.65   6 2400
ROA  2.09  -1.75 0.91 16 1.00 15-16  9 0  5.99    T 10  1 0    T  22.0  30.54  25 29.66   6 2400
ROK  2.29  -1.63 1.08 16 1.19 15-16 10 1  6.92  0.8 10  1 0  0.8  22.1  30.50  25 29.64   6 2400
AKQ  2.10        1.00 16            10 1  5.58  0.0          0.0   7.6                      2400
WOO  2.19                0.61   5-6 14 0  6.25                                              0800
WSH  2.64        0.82 16 0.82    16 14 0  5.89    T     6 0    T  22.2  30.53  25 29.62   5 2400
NORTH CAROLINA
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  T     U       V      V1   W X   Y     Z   1  2 3  4     5       6       7        S
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AVL  2.02  -2.57 0.74 31 0.86 30-31 11 0  7.05    T  9  1 0    T 14.3  30.57  25 29.66  16 2400
CLT  1.61  -2.78 0.92 31 0.92    31  8 0  6.08  0.0          0.0 14.5  30.60  25 29.65  16 2400
ECG  3.12  -1.55 0.83 16 0.83 15-16 11 0  6.07  0.0          0.0  8.5  30.64  25 29.65  31 2400
FAY  0.28        0.10 31 0.12 30-31  7 0  3.56                         30.60  25 29.66  16 2400
GSO  1.61  -2.24 0.49 16 0.58 15-16 10 0  4.91  0.0          0.0 18.5                      2400
HKY  2.40  -2.52 0.87 31 0.88 30-31  8 0  7.36  0.0          0.0 12.7  30.54  25 29.61  16 2400
LBT  0.42  -3.89 0.19 31 0.26 30-31  6 0  5.28                         30.61  25 29.69  16 2400
RAL  2.13  -1.90         0.82 14-15       7.41  0.0          0.0 14.8  30.63  25 29.66   7 1900
RDU  3.31  -0.72 0.96 31 1.20 15-16 10 0  7.86  0.0          0.0 14.9  30.62  25 29.66  31 2400
ROX  1.15        0.69 16 0.69    16 10 0  4.73  0.0          0.0  8.0  30.57  25 29.65   7 2100
ILM  1.85  -2.37 0.76 31 0.81 15-16  5 0  9.31  0.0          0.0    T  30.62  25 29.70  31 2400
SOUTH CAROLINA
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  T      T1     U       V      V1   W X   Y     Z   1  2 3  4     5       6       7        S
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AND  1.28  -3.69 0.71 30 0.75 30-31  8 0  6.89  0.0          0.0  4.4  30.58  25 29.70  16 2400
CAE  0.87  -3.72 0.33 21 0.33    21  5 0 11.60  0.0          0.0  0.4  30.59  25 29.71  16 2400
CHS  0.36  -3.64 0.16  9 0.16   8-9  4 0  6.33  0.0          0.0    T  30.59  24 29.74  31 2400
CRE  0.98  -2.81 0.28 16 0.38 30-31  6 0  8.55                         30.61  25 29.72  31 2400
FLO  0.35  -3.65 0.15 30 0.22 30-31  6 0  4.99                         30.60  25 29.69  16 2400
GSP  1.26  -4.05 0.53 30 0.61 30-31  9 0  7.14  0.0          0.0   9.3 30.57  25 29.66  16 2400
OGB  0.60        0.16  9 0.16     9  6 0  8.68                         30.59  25 29.74  16 2400
NEARBY STATIONS
[Reminder: All NWS DATA HEREIN IS NOT OFFICIAL]
STN  T      T1     U       V      V1   W X   Y     Z   1  2 3  4     5       6       7        S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRI  4.48  +0.57 1.17  2 1.17     2 13 1 10.73    T  9  1       T  15.6                     2400
DAV  7.65        1.46  6            20 2 18.35  9.2  8 15  6 29.6 166.9                     1900

Virginia:

Annandale - Lowell sends these notes:" March was VERY dry and above average in temperature. March's mean monthly temperature was + 2.4°F warmer than the average and the warmest since March 2000. The March rainfall 2.25"was a -2.17"departure and the driest March since 1987 when the total was only 1.98". We are now -4.07" below average in precipitation for 2004. March was a little cloudier than average and had 13 days with some measurable precipitation which is above the average of 11.6 days. March had 13 days with the temperature at or below freezing which was average. The lowest temperature was 23°F on the 23rd which was 4° above the average low minimum temperature. The 23°F minimum the (lowest of the month) rose to the maximum of 78°F the (highest of the month) on the 26th which was perceived by most as the end of winter but March ended with cold, cloudy and damp weather. The 0.98" of rain on the 6th was the lowest maximum monthly for March since 1987 and the fourth least calendar day rainfall amount for any March in the last 24-years. The record is 0.42" that occurred on March 31, 1987. No thunder heard yet in 2004 and is only the second year without thunder by the end of March since this observation was started in 1995. The total snowfall for March was only a trace and was -3.0" less than the 24-year average. The lowest wind chill (new Scale) for the month was +13.3°F on the 22nd which also had the lowest dew point for the month of +5.4°F. The maximum gust of 38 mph from the WNW on the 7th at 1918 was the strongest wind gust recorded for March. There were 14 daily records set! March DAILY Records Tied or Broken- (24-Years of records): HIGH maximum: 1, 2, 5, 6, 26; LOW maximum: 17; HIGH minimum: 4, 5, 6, 26; LOW minimum: 23; HIGH temp range: 24; LOW temp range: 17; HIGH precipitation: 16. " [ + - ] 

Arlington - NWS WBC reports: " The monthly precipitation was 1.51" BELOW normal while the average temperature was 2.3° ABOVE normal. " [ + - ] 

Blacksburg - NWS Blacksburg reports the monthly mean temp was 3.4° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 1.20" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.7 MPH. [ + - ] 

Bridgewater - " The precipitation for the month was 1.13" below normal. The temperature was 5.2° above normal. Precipitation for the year so far is 2.5" below normal. Snowfall for the winter season was slightly above normal. We usually get a measurable snow in March, but it didn't happen this year. My cutoff day for any measurable snow is April 15. The chances of snow in April is very slim. It has happened only a couple of times in the last 40 years here in our part of the Shenandoah Valley. " - report from Clayton [ + - ] 

Centreville - " Well, March had a hot day, but it wasn't that hot. There were a few chilly mornings throughout the month, but not really that cold. Even the average for March ran an average amount above average. Many think of lions and lambs when we bring up the subject of March, but I think this year the month was, for the most part, like a turtle; just not doing a whole lot at any time too soon. The only excitement we were able to pull off happened on March 6th when we had the rainiest day of March when 0.79" fell. The 6th was also the windiest day of the month with a gust of 44 mph out of the northwest. All this activity was coupled with a brief period when the barometer dipped to the monthly low reading of 29.61". After of all of this happening on Saturday, I sure needed the next day to rest up. A high of 81° on the 26th brought pleasant thoughts that winter was finally coming to a close, only to be shocked back to early spring four days later when temperatures returned to the mid to low 50s. The coldest we were able to record was a 22° reading on the 23rd; just three days before the monthly high. Overall, the monthly average low of 38.2° was 7.3° warmer than the suggested 30.9° while the average of averages was 6.8° over the 42.1° value; a mere half of a degree difference. In the precipitation department, we didn't have a lot to brag about with only 1.75" in the shot glass (yes, I finally found it), and just a trace of snow to cap it off. We should have received 3.79" of rain for March, so we only managed to accumulate just 46% of our normal amount. With only a trace of snow for February and March, the snow machine basically dried-up in January when a seasonal total of 16.9" was in the books. As snow days have now become a thing of the past, we are seven inches short of our 24.1" goal for the season. For the year, our rain deficit is shy of the 10.24" average by 4.48", or 53% of normal. Sounds to me like a good time to dust off the old headdress, and have ourselves a dance. " - notes from Paul [ + - ] 

Charlottesville - The monthly average temperature was 1.3° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 2.50" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.9 mph. - from NWS WBC [ + - ] 

Danville - The monthly average temperature was 2.6° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 2.95" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.4 mph. [ + - ]  

Dulles - The mean temp was 2.9° ABOVE normal. The monthly rainfall was 1.50" BELOW normal. Average wind speed, 7.9 mph. - from NWS WBC [ + - ] 

Falls Church - " March 2004 still came out a bit above average despite the cold snaps throughout the month. It was also drier than average. The 8th gave me a mixed bag of rain, sleet and even some hail in the very early afternoon hours..the sleet and hail were for a very brief time. The day was also quite windy. " - report from Erica [ + - ] 

Herndon - Bob sends these notes:" My average MAX temp was 2.2° ABOVE the Dulles "normal" and the average MIN was 4.5° ABOVE. Dulles is about 4 miles WSW and its normal is the 1971-2000 average. " - [ + - ] 

Herndon - Notes from Russ:" A mild March with no measurable snowfall. The monthly average temperature was 2.9° above normal and precipitation was 1.31" below average. We only received a trace of snow, which occurred on the 10th during snow showers. March came in like a lamb and went out like a lamb, this year. " - [ + - ] 

Lexington -


"WREL has added numerous weather stations to our Mid-Atlantic Mesomap. The map now covers from Bluefield, WV to Ocean City, MD. Place your cursor over any temperature for current conditions. URL address is: http://www.wrel.com/mesomap.htm. " - report from Scott at WREL-AM Radio [ ] 

Lynchburg - Rainfall for the month was 2.00" BELOW normal while the mean temp was 2.0° ABOVE normal. The average wind speed was 6.4 MPH. [ + - ]  -from NWS Blacksburg

Norfolk - NWS AKQ noted the average temperature in Norfolk was 3.3° ABOVE normal. The month's rainfall was 1.99" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 11.1 mph. - [ + - ]

Norfolk - The Fred Heutte Center, in Historic Ghent reports the average wind speed was 6.0 mph from a dominant SSW direction. 

Portsmouth - " As noted elsewhere, the month was a drier and wetter than normal one. Rainfall measured only 51% of the usual for March. 12 days with some type of fog. Sky cover was calculated at 45%. The average relative humidity was 57%. Winds blew from a dominant S direction and averaged a tad over 6 mph. Some wet snow mixed in with the rain on the 10th but not significant enough to rule as a trace. Records broken or tied included: 6TH - TEMPERATURE - MAXIMUM 72° [PREVIOUSLY 69° 1983]; 6TH - TEMPERATURE - MAXIMUM MINIMUM TIED 58° [PREVIOUSLY 1996]; and 17TH - TEMPERATURE - MINIMUM MAXIMUM 45° [PREVIOUSLY 46°ø 1988]. The database goes back to 1976. The average sea level pressure was 30.159" " - [ + - ] 

Mechanicsville - Glenn notes: "Strong t-storm on the 7th produced sharp lightning, some wind damage, and downpours." [ M M ] 

Richmond - NWS AKQ reported the mean temp at RIC was 2.3° ABOVE normal. Rainfall was 2.01" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 9.3 mph. - [ + - ] 

Ruther Glen - Danny sends these notes: " Temperatures were above average for the first time in 2004, but the trend of below average precipitation continues for the third straight month. Another month comes and goes without any accumulating snowfall. Springlike thunderstorms on the 7th brought our highest wind gust since Hurricane Isabel last September. " - [ + - ] 

Roanoke - Wendell send these notes:" Warmer than normal (2.8°) and drier than normal (-1.63")- Snowfall of only 0.8" was 1.8"below normal. " - [ + - ] 

Roanoke - NWS Blacksburg reports that the Roanoke airport monthly mean temp was 2.9° ABOVE normal. Rainfall was 1.75" BELOW normal. [ + - ] 

North Carolina:

Asheville - from NWS GSP. The monthly mean temp was 3.2° ABOVE and the rainfall was 2.57" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.8 mph. [ + - ] 

Charlotte - NWS GSP reports the mean temp here was 1.0° ABOVE normal and precip 2.78" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.7 mph. - [ + - ] 

Elizabeth City - The Elizabeth City Coast Guard Station [ECG] reported an average wind speed of 11.3 mph. The mean temp was 0.2° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 1.55" BELOW normal. - from NWS AKQ [ + - ] 

Fayetteville - NWS RDU reports the average wind speed was 8.3 mph.

Greensboro - NWS RDU notes a mean temp here that was 2.1° ABOVE normal. Rainfall was 2.24" BELOW normal. - [ + - ] 

Hickory - The average wind speed was 6.2 mph. The average monthly temperature was 2.2° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 2.52" BELOW normal. - from NWS GSP [ + - ] 

Lumberton - The average wind speed was 7.2 mph. The average monthly temperature was 2.5° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 3.89" BELOW normal - from NWS ILM [ + - ] 

Raleigh - Bob reports the following: " "Only significant weather event was widespread hail in Wake Co on the 31st. The ground was almost completed covered with pea size hail. Precipitation for March was below normal (-1.9") while the average daily temperature was also above normal (+1.5°). " - [ - + ] 

Raleigh - NWS RDU reports the average daily temperatures were 1.9° ABOVE normal while precipitation was 0.72" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.3 mph. " - [ + - ] 

Roxboro - Merriell reports:" March was both warmer and drier than normal; and no frozen precipitation including snow. Much of the month was windy. " - [ + - ] 

Wilmington - From NWS ILM: The average temp was 0.6° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 2.37" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 8.8 mph. - [ + - ] 

South Carolina:

Anderson - NWS GSP reports the monthly mean temp was 2.9° ABOVE normal. rainfall was 3.69" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 6.6 mph. - [ + - ] 

Charleston - NWS CHS reports the monthly mean temp was 2.0° ABOVE normal. Rainfall was 3.64" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 9.3 mph. - [ + - ] 

Columbia - NWS CAE reports that the mean temp here was 32.5deg; ABOVE normal. Rainfall was a 3.72" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.2 mph. - [ + - ] 

Florence - The mean temp here was 1.2° ABOVE normal while rainfall totals were 3.65" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 8.2 mph. - from NWS ILM [ + - ] 

Greenville-Spartanburg - The monthly mean temperature was 3.7° ABOVE normal while rainfall was a whopping 4.05" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 7.1 mph. - from NWS GSP [ + - ] 

North Myrtle Beach - The mean temp was 1.3° ABOVE normal while rainfall was 2.81" BELOW normal. The average wind speed was 8.2 mph. " - data from NWS ILM [ + - ] 

Orangeburg - NWS CAE reports the average wind speed here was 6.3 mph.

Nearby Cities:

COLUMN DENOTATIONS:

A  maximum mean temperature T total precipitation (inches)
T1 Departure from normal
B  minimum mean temperature U maximum calendar day precipitation (inches)
C  monthly mean temperature
C1 Departure from normal
U1 date of maximum calendar day precipitation
D  maximum temperature V date(s) of maximum daily precipitation
E  date(s) of maximum temperature V1 maximum 24-hour precip. & date(s)
F  minimum temperature W number of days with precip. >= .01"
G  date(s) of minimum temperature  X number of days with precip. >= 1.0"
H  days with maximum temperature >=90 Y year-to-date precipitation (inches)
I  days with maximum temperature <=32 Z maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
J  days with minimum temperature <=32 1 date of maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
K  days with minimum temperature <= 0 2 number of days with snowfall
L  peak wind gust (miles per hour)  3 number of days with snowfall >= 1.0"
M  direction of peak wind gust 4  total snowfall for month (inches)
N  date(s) of peak wind gust  5 total snowfall for 2003-2004 season (inches)
O  number of days with thunder  6 maximum barometric pressure (inches)
P  number of days with hail 6A date of maximum barometric pressure 
Q  number of days with glaze 7 minimum barometric pressure (inches)
R  number of days with ice pellets 7A date of minimum barometric pressure
R1 number of days with dense fog [1/4 mile and less visibility] (i) incomplete data
S  local observation time for temps/precipitation (M) Missing, if listed in data table
 ~ "about" E estimated
 +  additional indeterminate number of days NR not recorded


For ACON VA/NC/SC Recent Weather News, Search CNN
http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER
 

National Weather Service Web Sites & Current Email Addresses
Within or Nearby the ACON VA/NC/SC Area Can Be Found At:

     NWS Washington/Baltimore, VA/MD
     NWS Wakefield, VA
     NWS Blacksburg, VA
     NWS Raleigh, NC
     NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC
     NWS Wilmington, NC
     NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
     NWS Columbia, SC
     NWS Charleston, SC
     NWS Morristown, TN

     National Weather Service Homepages

     $$$ National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC $$$

STATION / LOCATION (MILES & DIRECTION FROM MAIN POST OFFICE)/OBSERVER / YEAR RECORDS BEGAN / EMAIL ADDRESS:

  ROK   Roanoke, VA 6SW Wendell Prillaman  4/76 wlprillaman@cox.net
ANN    Annandale, VA 1 3/4 ENE - Lowell Koontz  8/31/79  wwkoontz@verizon.net AKQ    Wakefield, VA NWS Wakefield Municipal Airport 36-58-53N 077-00-04W 33M
DCA    Arlington, VA Washington, DC, Reagan Washington National Airport 38-50-54N 077-02-03W 18M WSH   Washington, VA  David Yowell runamok@runamok.com
BCB    Blacksburg, VA NWS Virginia Tech Airport 37-13N 080-25W WEE   Weems, VA 3WNW Francis J. Socey
BRI     Bridgewater, VA Clayton Towers Ctowers@rica.net WOO  Woodstock, VA 5NW Lauck Walton - 12/1/85 jwalton@shentel.net
CEN   Centreville, VA Paul Bassett 1985 m.psb@verizon.net RGL   Ruther Glen, VA 38°0'45" N 77°32'29" W Danny Jessee 2003 danny@dannyjessee.com
CHO   Charlottesville, VA  Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport ASOS  (Rappahannock County) 38-08-18N 078-27-21W 192M
DAN  Danville, VA, Danville Regional Airport, 36-34-22N 079-20-10W 175M  BRE    Brevard, NC 1SE Bob Keehn 1/1/90 rkeehn@brinet.com
IAD   Dulles - Washington-Dulles International Airport  38-56-05N 077-26-51W 93M  CLT    Charlotte, NC NWS Charlotte/Douglas International Airpot 35-12-48N 080-56-55W 220M
FCH    Falls Church, VA Erica Page - 3/7/94 Windie1970@aol.com HKY  Hickory, NC 
HAM    Hampton, VA 5NE Dave Kessel 1989 davidckessel@cox.net ECG  Elizabeth City, NC,  Coast Guard Air Station 36-15-47N 076-10-58W 11M
CTR  Chesterfield, VA Albert Arnold 06/03 FAY  Fayetteville, NC Fayetteville Regional Airport, 34-59-22N 078-52-48W 55M
HER    Herndon, VA R.M. Beall P- 10/76   T-  1/91 beall47@earthlink.net GSO   Greensboro, NC NWS Piedmont Triad International Airport 36-05-51N 079-56-37W 275M
HRN   Herndon, VA 4SW Russ Topping -  1985 weatherman@cox.net LBT    Lumberton, NC  Lumberton Municipal Airport 34-36-26N 079-03-36W 37M
LXI     Lexington, VA  Scott M. Lancey, WREL Radio -  06/96 weather@wrel.com RAL    Raleigh, NC 7NNW  Bob Woodson -  6/1/93 kf4mmm@qsl.net
LKU     Louisa, VA 1N Joseph Bowers 1944 - NWS ID  44-5050-02jmbiii@earthlink.net RDU   Raleigh-Durham, NC Raleigh-Durham International Airport 35-52-14N 078-47-11W 130M
LOU     Louisa, VA 6S John Bullock (about 1970) INACTIVE 1/1/02 ROX    Roxboro, NC 2SE Merriell A. Jay 1/93
LYH     Lynchburg, VA NWS Lynchburg Regional Airport 37-19-15N 079-12-24W 295M ILM     Wilmington, NC NWS New Hanover International Airport 34-16-06N 077-54-22W 9M
NEW    Newmarket, VA 2W Joyce Winfree joywood@shentel.net CHS   Charleston, SC NWS Charleston Air Force Base 32-53-56N 080-02-26W 13M
NPN     Newport News, VA 7N Gary Leonard -  6/91 GaryMLeonard@aol.com CAE    Columbia, SC NWS Columbia Metropolitan Airport 33-56-31N 081-07-05W 73M 
NOR     Norfolk, VA 3NE Jim Fentress 6/1/77 FLO    Florence, SC Florence Regional Airport 34-11-16N 079-43-51W 44M
ORF     Norfolk, VA 5NE 36-54-13N 076-11-31W 14M  1871 GSP   Greenville-Spartanburg, SC NWS Greenville-Spartanburg Airport 34-53-02N 082-13-15W 286M 
POR     Portsmouth, VA 36.81° North 76.33° West 3S Bill Trotter -  7/1/76 wxr@cox.net CRE    North Myrtle Beach, SC Grand Strand Airport 33-48-42N 078-43-26W 10M
MEC     Mechanicsville, VA Glen Martin 11/19/91 OGB   Orangeburg, SC  Orangeburg Municipal Airport 33-27-50N 080-51-13W 59M
FHC    Norfolk, VA  Fred Heutte Center 36° 54'N 76° 16'W 01/01/03 fhcgarden@cox.net AND   Anderson, SC 
RIC     Richmond, VA Richmond International Airport 37-30-40N 077-19-24W 50M TRI     Tri-cities, TN  (Bristol / Johnson / Kingsport), Tri-City Regional Airport 36-28-47N 082-23-56W 474M 
ROA    Roanoke, VA Roanoke Regional Airport 37-19-01N 079-58-27W 362M DAV  Davis, WV Dave Lesher wvweather@mountain.net