According to preliminary data received by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Pendleton, temperatures at John Day averaged warmer than normal during the month of March.

The average temperature was 44.7 degrees which was 3.2 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged 59.0 degrees, which was 5.1 degrees above normal. The highest was 74 degrees on the 17th. Low temperatures averaged 30.4 degrees, which was 1.4 degrees above normal. The lowest was 22 degrees, on the 15th.

There were 21 days with the low temperature below 32 degrees.

Precipitation totaled 0.55 inches during March, which was 0.73 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation – at least .01 inch – was received on 9 days with the heaviest, 0.15 inches reported on the 26th.

Precipitation this year has reached 1.78 inches, which is 1.37 inches below normal. In the past six months, the total precipitation at John Day has been 5.85 inches, which is 1.00 inch below normal.

Snowfall totaled 2.5 inches with at least 1 inch of snow reported on 2 days. The heaviest snowfall was 1.5 inches reported on the 1st. The greatest depth of snow on the ground was 2 inches on the 1st.

The outlook for April from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. Normal highs for John Day during April are 60.5 degrees and normal lows are 32.9 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 1.38 inches.