There is an old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. It refers to the transition from winter to spring that takes place during the month and the change in weather that usually follows. In New York City this year, however, that tradition was turned on its head as March came in like a lamb and more or less stayed that way until a few chilly days arrived at the end of the month.

Of its thirty-one days, the month produced twenty-one with above-average readings, including two days in the 70s. This unseasonable heat helped drive the city’s mean temperature for the month up to 48°F, which is 5.5°F above normal. That means March 2020 now ranks as the city’s seventh warmest March on record.

The city had its warmest March in 1945, when the average temperature for the month was 51.1°F.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall was slightly below normal. In total, Central Park reported 3.78 inches of rain, which is 0.58 inches below average for the month. Snowfall was also below average. In fact, it was non-existent. But given the warm conditions that dominated the month, this is not that surprising. March, on average, typically brings the city 3.9 inches of snow.

Credit: The Weather Gamut