Temperatures warmed very nicely on Monday, but winds were howling as well making for dangerous fire weather conditions in the state. Having really warm temperatures and windy conditions generally go hand-in-hand during March for Iowa. The featured chart presents the frequency of having at least a 10 knot (~12 MPH) wind speed at a given air temperature during March for Des Moines. March is a windy month to start with, but there's a clear signal that increasing temperatures are increasing associated with breezy conditions. The reason for this relationship is found above our heads with faster wind speeds found aloft and warmer temperatures generally indicating a well mixed lower atmosphere and/or strong transport of warmer air from our south. Rewording, it is difficult for us to achieve such warm temperatures in March without the help of warmer air aloft mixing down and/or strong transport of warmer air from our south.

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