The year 2012 saw the 3^rd warmest March in Texoma history**.

The statistics tell the story:

• March 2012 had an average temperature of 61.9 degrees compared to the 30-year average of 54.3.                                                                             
  
• March 2012 saw 17 of its 31 days with the average temperatures 10 degrees or more above normal: a very significant walk on the warm side.  
  
• An observed average temperature at or below normal was recorded on only 6 days.

• 2012 also had some of the earliest “last freeze” dates on record on both sides of the Red River.

• Most locations had their last freeze 3 to 4 weeks earlier than average. Copy the link below for detailed information on observed city-by-city last freeze dates (discussion continues below graphic):

           http://bit.ly/Hht5dY

WHAT ABOUT THIS SUMMER?

Quite a few viewers have asked me about the link between the warm start to spring and a possibly hot summer. Well, the good news is there’s really no connection:

>>>2011 was our hottest summer on record, but March 2011 didn’t even make the top 10 warmest.

>>>The summer of 1998 was rather brutal, but  March of that year wasn't found among the top 10 for high temperatures either.

>>>The year 1980 saw another blistering summer in Texoma while March of that year wasn’t particularly warm.

So a warm March offers few clues on what to expect this July.

** Records from Dallas and Oklahoma City were used to help fill in the gaps within the Texoma climate record.

 
Take Care,

Steve LaNore

Chief Meteorologist

KXII-TV