KENTUCKY: The first few days of March were cooler, with more seasonable temperatures. Rainfall events and some light snow events occurred with south and east receiving 1 to 2 in. of total rainfall. Temperatures averaged 42 degrees across the State which was 2 degrees above normal. Precipitation (liq. equ.) totaled 1.12 in. statewide which was 0.15 in. above normal. Precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.27 in. at Paducah to a high of 3.39 in. at Somerset.

The first full week started out mild with temperatures in the 50s but by Tuesday cooler air moved into the Commonwealth. The remainder of the period was mostly mild with temperatures into the 70s by Thursday. Only one rain event occurred and that was on Friday with light rainfall of one-tenth of an inch or less. This was the first week in the past four weeks with below normal rainfall and the third week straight with above normal temperatures. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor held the extreme southeast section of the state in moderate hydrologic drought. Very moist to unusually moist conditions continued in west, central and Bluegrass sections, according to the Palmer Drought and Crop Moisture indices. Temperatures averaged 47 degrees, which was 4 degrees above normal. Extreme high temperatures were in the mid 70s and extreme low temperatures were in the upper teens. Precipitation (liq. equ.) totaled 0.05 in. statewide which was 0.98 in. below normal. Precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.00 in. at Bowling Green to a high of 0.14 in. at Williamstown.

Very mild temperatures occurred for the first half of the week with seasonal temperatures for the remainder and into the weekend. Light rain occurred from midweek with most locations receiving one-half inch or less. Some north central locations reported 1 to 1.5 in. and also extreme east and southeast locations reported amounts of 1 in. of total rainfall. Temperatures averaged 50 degrees, 5 degrees above normal. Extreme high temperatures were near 80 degrees and extreme low temperatures were in the mid 20s. Precipitation (liq. equ.) totaled 0.53 in., 0.51 in. below normal. Precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.06 in. at Bowling Green to a high of 1.52 in. at Cumberland Gap. This was the second week straight with below normal rainfall.

Temperatures for the third full week of the month averaged 61 degrees, +14 degrees from normal. Extreme high temperatures were in the mid 80s and extreme low temperatures were in the mid 20s. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from +10 degrees from normal in the West to +16 degrees from normal in the East. Rainfall was limited to the start of the workweek, mostly along and slightly south of the Ohio River from Paducah to Covington. Also, far northern sections of the state received rainfall at mid-week. Precipitation (liq. equ.) totaled 0.46 in. statewide, -0.58 in. from normal. Precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.00 in. at Nashville to a high of 1.01 in. at Nolin Lake.

High pressure controlled Kentucky's weather the first half of the final week of March. A southerly flow of air moved daytime highs into the mid 80's. Late week scattered thunderstorms provided the weeks precipitation as temperatures returned to more seasonable lower 60's to end the month.

The rain and warmer temperatures caused pastures and fall seeded small grains to begin to green up. Fruit trees began to bud out as the month ended. Livestock remained in mostly good condition as farmers continued to feed cattle hay to supplement the limited feed from greening pastures. Soil moisture going into spring was rated adequate to surplus statewide. Tobacco farmers began sowing their greenhouses and preparing plant beds late in the month.