Contributed imageTemperatures in John Day were colder than normal in March. Near-normal temperatures and near- to above-normal precipitation expected in April.

Temperatures in John Day averaged colder than normal during the month of March, according to preliminary data received by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Pendleton.

The average temperature was 38.2 degrees, which was 3.5 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged 50.8 degrees, which was 3.5 degrees below normal. The highest was 64 degrees on March 13. Low temperatures averaged 25.7 degrees, which was 3.4 degrees below normal. The lowest was 18 degrees, on March 6.

There were 27 days with the low temperature below 32 degrees.

Precipitation totaled 0.96 inches during March, which was 0.31 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation was received on eight days with the heaviest, 0.50 inches, reported on March 14.

Precipitation this year has reached 1.88 inches, which is 1.12 inches below normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at John Day has been 4.88 inches, which is 1.70 inches below normal.

Snowfall totaled 0.2 inches. The heaviest snowfall was 0.2 inches reported on March 2.

The highest wind gust was 46 mph, which occurred on March 21.

The outlook for April from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for near-normal temperatures and near- to above-normal precipitation. Normal highs for John Day rise from 57 degrees at the start of April to 64 degrees at the end of April. Normal lows rise from 31 degrees to 36 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 1.39 inches.