Temperatures reaching eighty degrees or higher in March across central and northeast South Dakota is a rare occurrence, and for this to occur in mid-March is extremely rare.  On March 16^th, several locations across the area set record highs by topping the 80 degree mark including Aberdeen, Mobridge, and Pierre.  Sisseton and Watertown also set records for March 16^th. Aberdeen topped out at 81 degrees, Mobridge reached 83 degrees, with 86 degrees at Pierre.  The 86 degrees at Pierre was rare as they have only reached 85 degrees or higher four previous times, all occurring at the end of March. Thus, the March 16th 86 degree reading at Pierre was also the warmest temperature occurring this early in the season. The previous highest March temperature reading of 87 degrees occurred on March 27^th, 1988. The 81 degrees at Aberdeen was also the warmest temperature reading occurring this early in the season.  The previous warmest reading was 84 degrees occurred on March 18^th 1921.  The 83 degrees at Mobridge was also the warmest temperature this early in the season.  The previous reading was 84 degrees on March 23^rd, 1939.

The tables below show the number of times 80 degrees or higher have occurred, not including Friday, March 16^th, 2012 along with the warmest temperatures ever recorded in March.  Record temperatures are expected to continue into the weekend with more 80 degree or higher temperatures likely occurring at several locations.   In fact, some of the all-time record highs may be broken on Sunday, March 18^th.