3.17.2026 – but … there is always

but … there is always
“but” when scientists discuss
those weather extremes

Adapted from the article March Has Always Been a Month of Weather Extremes. But This Is Ridiculous by By Judson Jones and Eric Niiler in the New York Times on 3.17.2026.

They write:

Why was it sunny and warm one morning in New York, only to be snowing by the afternoon? Why did the Great Lakes face tornadoes one day and blizzard conditions not long after? Why can’t the temperature make up its mind?

The answer is simple: It’s March.

The month has long been notorious in meteorology circles as the volatile transition from winter to spring, bringing rapid shifts in temperature. You’ve probably heard the proverb: It’s the month that comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

But even by March standards, this one has been especially harsh, and no corner of the country seems to have been spared the chaotic weather.

“In that way, the recent weather extremes — severe weather in the Midwest, high snowfall in the Great Lakes, record-breaking temperatures in the East, and fires in the Plains — are not unheard-of this time of the year,” Mr. Ford said.

But there is always a “but” when scientists discuss weather extremes.

For 20 years I worked bringing TV news and weather online.

I pioneered a lot of stuff that is now accepted as common place.

I worked with Meteorlogists to overlay live radar on maps showing the location of area high school football games.

We recreated the seven day forecast in multiple languages.

I helped launched the great WXIA-11 WIZOMETER!

And I learned a few things.

One was this rule.

The seventh day of the seven day forecast is always warm and sunny.

BUT …

… you just never get to that seventh day.