By McCall Reeder
Intern
After a string of 80-degree days, Wilmington looked set to break March temperature records, but a couple of cold snaps, including one forecasted for this weekend, could keep this monthly temperature within averages. This March’s weather has created record-breaking highs and below-average low temperatures in the same week.
The National Weather Service’s records state March 16’s temperature of 88 degrees was the highest the city has seen on that day since 2002. Also, March 11’s high temperature of 86 degrees was an increase over last year’s record-breaking 84 degrees.
However, Sunday, March 20’s high of 51 degrees was about 16 degrees lower than the average high.
Terry Lebo, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Wilmington, said another cold front will be coming in Friday, March 25, following another week that may be hotter than normal. That front could also create a chance of weekend showers.
“The cold front should set us back about to where we should be, after that we’ll be about normal for March,” Lebo said.
The high temperatures have been a sneak peek of summer for some beach goers, however.
Ayla Jones, a student at UNCW, made the most of it while it lasted.
“I went to the beach a couple of times and I made sure to take the long way walking to class,” Jones said.
Jones observed that she couldn’t recall a March this warm since childhood.
“It kind of goes to show you climate change,” Jones said.
After the cold snap this coming weekend, temperatures are predicted to regulate for the end of March.
“I don’t see hitting any more record temperatures,” Lebo said.
