Tornado Gets Terrifyingly Close To Texas Home

Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.

Changes in an updated March outlook call for the feel of spring to dominate much of the central and eastern states which contrasts a cooler trend to the forecast for many in the West.

The M​idwest and Northeast could experience the warmest March compared to average. Locations from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic Interstate 95 corridor into the Great Lakes, upper Mississippi Valley and Northern Plains could have temperatures the most above average in the new month, according to the latest outlook released Thursday by The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2.

The S​outh has also seen a warmer trend to its outlook. At least a somewhat warmer than average March is expected from parts of Texas and Oklahoma eastward to Georgia and the Carolinas. The previous outlook called for conditions to be slightly cooler than average in these areas.

(15-min details: For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.)

T​he West might hang on to winter as we head toward the spring equinox. Much of the West is predicted to see temperatures near or below average. Locations from southern Idaho into Nevada, Utah and northern Arizona could be the coldest compared to average. This might bode well for skiers in these areas.

The r​apid transition from El Niño to possible La Niña conditions is a driver of the forecast. "Model forecasts suggest a pattern quite similar to March 1973, which is one of our analogs for a strong El Niño that is rapidly transitioning to La Niña," said Dr. Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2.

T​hat particular March had a temperature pattern very similar to the outlook shown above, with the warmest conditions compared to average from the Midwest into parts of the Northeast. The Southwest, in contrast, was particularly cooler than average.

(192-hours: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

A​verage highs in March begin spring's gradual climb upward. Temperatures on the day-to-day scale often are like a roller coaster as spring begins, so these are only averages throughout the month.

In general, 60s and 70s are typical March highs in much of the South. South Florida, South Texas and part of the Desert Southwest are a bit warmer with 80s.

H​ighs in the northern half of the country typically range from the 30s near the Canadian border and in the Rockies to 40s and 50s elsewhere.

Chris Dolce has been a senior meteorologist with weather.com for over 10 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives.