March 2012 wasn't just extreme for its warmth. It ended as No. 17 among the months of March on record for Baltrimore, with 1.76 inches of rain.
That is just less than half the normal rainfall of nearly 4 inches. And it significantly widens a rainfall deficit for the year, as measured at BWI Airport.
January and February both were about half an inch below average in the rainfall department, and with March's 2.14-inch deficit, the region is nearly 3 and a half inches below average.
U.S. Geological Surveygroundwater monitors show normal levels as of late February, but they haven't been updated since then. I'll let you know when they are. Rainfall deficits early in the year are concerning because they replenish the groundwater ahead of the growing season and heat later in the year.
The driest March on record at BWI was in 2006, when 0.18 inches of rain fell. Less than an inch fell in March of 1910, 1966, 1986 and 1987, the next five driest.
