The month of March was one of the warmest, and driest in Salina since records have been kept, dating back to 1900.

According to the National Weather Service, the average temperature in Salina was 54.8 degrees, up 7.4 degrees from normal. It is tied for the 6th warmest March ever.

The agency says Salina received .08 inches of rain in March, 1.74 inches below normal.  It is the 5th driest March ever.

Over 80% of Kansas is now experiencing at least abnormally dry drought conditions. Moderate drought conditions have developed across far southern Kansas.

Salina set  five daily record highs in March. They include:

• Record High on March 9th –  85
• Record High on March 20th – 91
• Record High on March 21st –  97
• Record High on March 25th – 95
• Record High on March 26th – 93

The record high of 97 on March 21st was an all-time record high for the month of March. It was the warmest ever March day in Salina.

Looking at April, the agency says there is a 40-50% chance for above average temperatures across Kansas. There is a 33-50% chance for above average precipitation in April across the eastern half of Kansas.