Spring 1997 in Wisconsin

    Spring 1997 (March through May) was both cooler and drier than normal statewide.  The state averaged 3.2°F cooler than normal, and 2.25 inches less precipitation than normal, for the season.  The cool spring of 1997 followed the near-record cold spring of 1996, which was the second coldest spring in records dating back to 1896.  Temperatures in 1997 averaged near normal in March, somewhat below normal in April and well below normal in May.  Cool spring temperatures are the result of arctic airmasses which dominate in winter, but usually give way to warmer suntropical air by mid-April or May.  Thi cold arctic air is not capable of holding much water vapor, and therefore does not deliver much precipitation.  Under the influence of persistent arctic air, the nine climate divisions of Wisconsin received only 53-84% of normal precipitation for spring 1997.

 

Climate

Division
Mean

Temp. 

(°F)

  

Normal

Temp.
Depart.

From

Normal
Total

Precip.

(in.)

  

Normal

Precip.
Depart.

From

Normal
Percent

of

Normal
Northwest 
38.3
41.4
-3.1
4.00
7.56
-3.55
53
N. Central
36.6
40.5
-3.9
5.73
7.72
-1.99
74
Northeast
37.5
41.4
-3.9
6.08
7.93
-1.85
77
W. Central
42.3
44.8
-2.6
6.06
8.50
-2.43
71
Central
41.5
44.4
-2.8
6.80
8.50
-1.70
80
E. Central
40.7
43.7
-3.0
5.99
7.81
-1.82
77
Southwest
43.2
46.3
-3.0
7.29
8.67
-1.38
84
S. Central
43.3
46.2
-2.9
6.33
8.49
-2.16
75
Southeast
43.3
45.6
-2.3
5.65
8.50
-2.85
66
Statewide
40.1
43.2
-3.2
5.84
8.09
-2.25
72

(Note: Total precipitation is rain or water equivalent of snowfall)

 

Month
Mean
Temp.
(°F)
Depart.
From
Normal
Total
Precip.
(in.)
Depart. 
From
Normal
March
29.5
+0.1
 1.88
-0.07
April
41.5
-1.9
1.03
-1.68
May
50.5
-5.2
3.24
 -0.14