March 2026 Summary – Warmer and Cloudier Than Average – Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center

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Blue Hill Observatory March 2026 Summary:

March 2026 was generally warm with average precipitation, very little snow, and below average sunshine. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 39.4 deg F was 4.9 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for March, and it was 3.6 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 49.2 deg F was 5.1 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, and the average minimum temperature of 30.3 deg F was 3.4 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. After a cold start to the month during the first few days, warmer weather began to arrive, and a total of eighteen days were warmer than average. The highest temperature was 74F on the 10th, which not only surpassed the previous record for the date of 69F set in 1977, but also it was one of the earliest temperatures of 70F or higher on record. The lowest temperature was 8F on the 2nd. March mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 6.1 mb, which corresponded to a mean dew point of about 32F. This amount was above the long-term mean water vapor pressure for March of 4.8 mb, which equals a mean dew point of about 27F. The total precipitation was 5.08 inches, which was 0.44 inches less than the 30-year normal. There was frequent precipitation, which was mostly rain, and eighteen days had measurable precipitation. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 1.45 inches on the 16th-17th during the arrival and passage of a very strong cold front on the 17th, which also brought very strong southerly winds. The March total snowfall was just 2.9 inches, which was 12.1 inches less than average. The greatest snowfall in 24 hours was 1.9 inches on the 1st. Ponkapoag Pond was considered thawed on March 21st, which was five days later than average, and Houghton’s Pond followed on the 23rd, which was three days later than average. Since first freezing over on December 6th, Houghton’s Pond was considered ice covered for 107 days, which was the longest interval since the 2013-2014 season. The highest sea-level pressure during March was 30.70 inches on the 2nd, and the lowest sea-level pressure was 29.31 inches during the passage of the very strong cold front and inland storm on the 17th. The mean wind speed was 12.9 mph, which tied as the fourth lowest on record for the month, and the prevailing wind direction was from the south-southwest. The highest wind gust was 81 mph from the south during the strong winds on the 17th. March sunshine was below average with 163.2 hours of bright sunshine, or 46 percent of possible, which was three percent less than the long-term average for the month.

BHO Earliest 70-degree Temperature, deg F (1885-2026):

1) 70 on 21 Feb 2018
2) 71 on 24 Feb 2017
3) 71 on 9 Mar 2000
75 on 9 Mar 2016
72 on 9 Mar 2020
6) 74 on 10 Mar 2026
7) 71 on 11 Mar 2021

BHO Lowest March Mean Wind Speed, mph (1885-2026):

1) 12.1 in 1995
2) 12.8 in 2012
   12.8 in 2023
4) 12.9 in 2020
   12.9 in 2024
   12.9 in 2026
7) 13.0 in 2022

Mike Iacono
Chief Scientist
Blue Hill Observatory