Ticker for March 1, 2000

                
MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ...
March 1, 2000      March 1, 2000      March 1, 2000      March 1, 2000

Another Warm February

In the past ten years, warmer-than-normal Februaries have been quite
common.  In fact, eight of the last ten have been above normal.  This
February was no different.  Average temperatures were above normal by
about seven degrees Fahrenheit across the entire state.  That's a
large margin, even for a highly-variable month like February.

According to Mesonet data, February 2000 will be the 6th warmest
February since record-keeping began in 1895.  It was however, cooler
than the previous February, which was the 4th warmest on record.

The following table gives the details.


FEBRUARY 2000 - HISTORICAL STANDING

Climate     Mean Feb. Temp (F)     Warmest  Rank*   Coolest    Warmest
Division    2000   Norm  Depart    Since    of 106  on record  on record

Panhandle   44.8   37.3   +7.5     1999      6th    23.1 1899  47.5 1954
N. Central  44.9   38.3   +6.6     1999      9th    22.4 1899  49.6 1954
Northeast   46.6   39.1   +7.5     1999      7th    25.6 1899  49.8 1976

W. Central  46.7   39.4   +7.3     1999      8th    23.8 1905  51.0 1954
Central     48.1   40.6   +7.5     1999      7th    26.2 1899  51.6 1976
E. Central  49.2   41.6   +7.6     1999      6th    28.7 1899  52.1 1976

Southwest   48.9   42.0   +6.9     1999      5th    26.8 1905  52.5 1954
S. Central  51.6   43.5   +8.1     1999      5th    30.0 1905  53.6 1954
Southeast   51.4   43.4   +8.0     1999    t-7th    31.4 1905  52.6 1954

Statewide   48.0   40.6   +7.4     1999      6th    26.7 1899  50.8 1954

* 1st = warmest