Warming trend moving from the South

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 3/17/2011 7:41:58 AM

IN MARCH 2010, temperatures trended the warmest and precipitation trended the driest in three years. Record-breaking warmth late in the month resulted in more than 800 record-high temperatures and an exceptional Easter holiday. Record warmth, drier conditions and the least snowfall in 18 years all combined to make last March a fantastic month for sales of spring and outdoor categories.
     This month will see temperatures return to near normal or below normal across the nation's northern segment with the opposite being true across the Deep South. For the country as a whole, March 2011 will trend as the coolest and wettest in at least three years, putting a damper on outdoor living categories.
     There will be more snow across the North, which will further dampen sales of spring and outdoor categories. Another negative for the month will be the shift of the week prior to Easter to the retail April calendar. Much warmer weather this year across the Deep South will make this the best area for spring and summer categories.

TEMPERATURE	NATIONAL MARCH TEMPERATURE INDEX
PRECIPITATION	NATIONAL MARCH PRECIPITATION INDEX