March turned out a little cooler and drier than normal according to data from the Oklahoma Mesonet. The statewide average rainfall ended with a deficit of greater than an inch below normal and ranked as the 44th driest on record. The temperature data was similar at more than a degree below normal, which ranked the month as the 55th coolest on record. The biggest stories during March, however, will not come as a shock to those accustomed to Oklahoma's wild weather. The first was a tornado on the eighth that struck the small town of Hammon in Roger Mills County. The EF2-rated twister gave the town a glancing blow and left damaged homes and businesses in its wake. It was also the first tornado to touch down in the state since October 29, 2009. The next major weather event was a late-month snowstorm that dumped from 3-7 inches of snow across the state. Pryor led the state's totals with 11 inches. The final big weather story occurred as the month waned. Temperatures soared into the 90s in western Oklahoma during March's final three days. The heat combined with low humidities and strong winds gusting to over 40 mph to produce extreme fire danger.

Full monthly summary available online at:
http://climate.mesonet.org/monthly_summary.html