Chilliwack (Roger Pannett Environment Canada) – As weather folklore and rhyme states, ‘March came in like a lamb and (near months end) out like a lion.’ However, unlike March of previous years, the weather was generally benign. A series of weak high-pressure ridges were interspersed by a few Pacific frontal systems.
The most significant weather event occurred on March 28th. The passage of an intense Pacific cold front, moving south eastwards through the Province, produced heavy rain, hail and abundant mountain snowfalls. Strong, damaging, gusty west winds contributed to many power outages. The month concluded with mild, sunny conditions and a high UV index of 7.
Temperature extremes for the month were a sunny maximum of 15.5⁰ (5.8⁰ above normal) with 28% relative humidity on March 13th and a frosty low of – 1.5⁰C (4.7⁰C below normal) with freezing fog on March 29th. (Another weather folklore /rhyme states.’ Fogs in March, frosts in May.’ Hopefully not!)
No temperature records were observed in March.
With mean temperatures at 7.24 ⁰C ,1.09 ⁰C above normal, it was the 9th consecutive March with above normal temperatures. Since 1895, a trend never previously observed.
With total precipitation 60% below normal, it was the 4th consecutive March and 9th consecutive month with below normal precipitation.
Regional mountain snowpack levels vary from normal to above normal. The Provincial average decreased from 114% on March 1st to 112% on March 15th. On average, by March 15th, usually 90% of the total snowpack has accumulated. Historically, weather conditions in April are crucial to help determine spring-time freshet flood risk.
The 2021 precipitation total to date is 406 mm on 55 days compared to the average of 634.6 mm on 54 days.
Data recorded by Roger Pannett, Volunteer Weather Observer for Environment Canada at Chilliwack, B.C.
Variable | March 2021 | 30 Year Average |
Mean Maximum | 11.56 C | 10.3 C |
Mean Minimum | 2.91C | 2.0 C |
Mean Temperature | 7.24 C | 6.15 C |
Rainfall | 70.8 mm | 162.5 mm |
Snowfall | 0.0 cm | 13.6 cm |
Total Precipitation | 70.8 mm | 176.1 mm |
Days of Rain | 15 days | 16 days |
Days of Snow | 0 days | 2 days |
Total Days of Precipitation | 15 days | 18 days |
Frosts | 4 | 8 |
Relative humidity average | 68.21% | . |