March Summary And Miscellany

Summary for March is quite simple. There was one rain event during entire month, but that produced 0.86" here at house. In my 20 years of record that is the 6th wettest March and also the wettest March since 2010. There were 9 mornings with low temperatures of 40 F and colder, but only 3 mornings with 32 F or colder - coldest was 29 F on the 14th. Forecast for coming first week in April is for every day, but one, to have highs in low to mid 80s F, also some winds at midweek.

It is unusual, but the Rillito was running almost continuously from February 15 through March 23. Above plot shows Rillito at Dodge gauge for a month beginning on March 23rd. Highest flow (see below) was over 10,000 CFS on March 15th.

The long-run of water flow led to an unusual appearance of the wiley sand trout (above), and an upstream migration of the fish to spawn. They move up the wash until they find rockier bottom conditions before spawning. Local fishermen, who don't mind the muddy waters, were out and having some success - below.

Finally, the western pipistrella bats (below) have returned from Mexico, with some arriving here at house over weekend to roost for the summer along the front porch vigas.