Ticker for March 4, 1999

                
MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ...
March 4, 1999      March 4, 1999      March 4, 1999      March 4, 1999


February 1999 Appears to be State's 4th Warmest on Record

This February was the 4th warmest on record, according to preliminary
temperature data.  It ranks just behind the second months of 1954,
1976 and 1930.  Each of the state's nine climate divisions was seven
to nine degrees Fahrenheit above its normal February temperature.


FEBRUARY 1999: HISTORICAL STANDING

Climate      Average Feb Temp     Rank      Warmest    Warmest February on
Division     1999       Normal    of 105    Since      Record (since 1895)

Panhandle    45.1 F     37.3 F     4th      1991       1954 (47.5 F)
N. Central   47.7 F     38.2 F     4th      1976       1954 (49.6 F)
Northeast    48.4 F     39.1 F     4th      1976       1976 (49.8 F)

W. Central   49.0 F     39.4 F     4th      1976       1954 (51.0 F)
Central      50.0 F     40.6 F     4th      1976       1976 (51.6 F)
E. Central   50.4 F     41.6 F     3rd      1976       1976 (52.1 F)

Southwest    50.4 F     42.0 F     4th      1976       1954 (52.5 F)
S. Central   52.2 F     43.5 F     4th      1976       1976 (53.6 F)
Southeast    51.5 F     43.4 F     6th      1976       1976 (52.6 F)

Statewide    49.4 F     40.5 F     4th      1976       1954 (50.7 F)