Seasonable Weather Expected As We Travel Toward April

The first week of spring is in the bag, but you wouldn’t know it with the weather the Inland Northwest had over the past seven days.  Marilyn Lohmann, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says temperatures were anywhere from two to four degrees below normal over the past couple of days.  Not only has that slowed some germination, but it’s also kept the soil temperatures very cool.

“Soil temperatures have remained in the upper 30s to mid 40s.  They even cooled a few degrees late last week after we had that really strong cold front come through.  But, looking ahead for the next week or so, we are looking at some near normal temperatures for the week, that should allow soil temperatures to start to warm a few degrees as well.”

Lohmann said after a lot of chatter over the winter, La Nina finally kicked in for late February and throughout March.  However, she noted the pattern is expected to weaken over the next couple of weeks, which should loosen La Nina’s grip on the Northwest.

“As it becomes neutral it’s not so much of a player, and we will see systems move through.  In fact for the outlook for the first week of April, is calling for temperatures to be near or slightly above normal and above normal precipitation.”

Lohmann says the long-term for April calls for seasonal rainfall with near normal temperatures.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com