Despite the recent barrage of snow, University of Wisconsin meteorologists say Madison temperatures should start climbing by the time the student body returns from spring break.
UW Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Professor John Young said temperature fluctuations this season were caused by a normal volatile jet stream traveling from either the frigid Northwest or alternately from the mild Southwest.
Young said the lingering northern flow of the jet stream has significantly impacted Wisconsin’s weather, causing Wednesday’s snowstorm. He forecasted that spring temperatures would likely develop in early April as the “air blowing from the South gets progressively warmer due to extended sunlit hours.”
According to Young, the warm spells will start to linger longer as the summer months near and the jet stream becomes more consistent.
Current weather conditions are typical for this time of year, according to Edward Hopkins, a lecturer in the UW’s AOS Department.
Hopkins said Wednesday’s expected average temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit was comparable to the average Madison March 4 temperature, which ranges from 17 to 40 degrees. Hopkins stated that by the end of March, temperatures are typically in the 50s, and the gap between low and high temperatures narrows.
“We’re starting to get to the point when we experience spurts of spring weather, and soon enough, the first thunderstorm, but I do recall a 12-inch snowstorm on April 7, 1973,” Hopkins said.
In order to predict the weather, meteorologists observe weather conditions at the surface and in the upper atmosphere, also taking the jet stream’s behavior into account.
“Being precise in terms of levels of precipitation critical to a location is very difficult, but we can usually count on a reliable 24-hour forecast,” Hopkins said.
Meteorologists say spring is on its way, but the winter advisory two days ago predicting snowfall of more than 4.6 inches reminded students that they are still at the outset of the year’s snowiest month and that spring may not be as near as they have hoped.
UW student Jenny Fields said she is anticipating warm weather for spring break, making the trudge to class in four inches of snow bearable.
“The snow doesn’t bother me. I’m going to Grand Cayman in nine days, so as long as it’s spring when I get back, I don’t really care,” Fields said.
