Dry Start of Spring in Tielt
Welcome to the March monthly report for MeteoTielt - Weerstation Tielt.
The month of March brought a typical transition from winter to spring in Tielt. Changeability was central with a mix of cold nights, mild days and some strong wind peaks. Precipitation remained limited and the sun showed up regularly, while air quality fluctuated between clean and polluted. In this review, we look back at last month's weather and what it meant for nature and our living environment.
Temperature Trends
March in Tielt was characterised by changeable spring weather with an average temperature of 8.5°C. The highest temperature was recorded on March 8, with a pleasant 20.2°C, while the coldest night reached -1.2°C.
The first half of the month was rather cool and alternately cloudy, with some nights below freezing. Things got softer around mid-March, but temperatures fluctuated widely. The warmest period fell between 6 and 10 March, followed by a cool down. The last days of the month were milder again with several days above 15°C.
All in all, a typical March month with spring prospects!
Precipitation:
The rainfall graph shows that rainfall was mostly concentrated on a few individual days. The most significant rainfall occurred around March 14, where a significant amount of precipitation was measured compared to the rest of the month. In addition, smaller rainfall amounts were recorded on February 28, March 2, March 4, March 12 and March 28. The rest of the month remained almost dry.
Weather report
Besides limited precipitation, March was characterised by dry spells and a relatively stable weather type. There were some changeable days, but prolonged rainfall remained absent. This pattern can be attributed to a high air pressure influence, which largely kept disturbances at bay.
Consequences
Limited rainfall in March can affect groundwater levels and agriculture in the region. A dry March month often means that nature is extra dependent on rainfall in April and May to build up sufficient water reserves.
Preview
Given the dry pattern in March, it remains to be seen how precipitation will evolve in April. If this dry weather persists, early drought problems could arise. However, a wet spring could provide the necessary recovery.
March 2025 was thus a month with only a few rain moments, but mainly an indication that spring started drier than average. Hopefully April will bring a more balanced rainfall pattern for nature and agriculture in Tielt.
Wind:
March brought a dynamic and varied wind pattern to Tielt, with significant fluctuations in both wind speed and wind direction during the month. This overview summarises the wind data, including trends and peak moments.
Wind speed and gusts
Average wind speed varied during the month, with peaks sometimes significantly above average. The maximum recorded wind speed was 32.2 km/h, while the strongest gust reached 33.8 km/h. The highest values occurred mainly on 22 March and 28 March, where the intensity increased markedly.
The first half of the month saw a moderate pattern with alternating calm and windy days. From 6 March, wind speeds increased, with regular strong gusts around the middle of the month. The strongest wind speeds were recorded in the second half of March, with 22 and 28 March particularly notable for their powerful gusts.
Wind Directions
Wind direction was highly variable during the month, with prevailing winds from the southwest and northeast. During the first week of March, winds came mainly from north-easterly directions, which was accompanied by relatively dry and fresh air currents.
From the middle of the month, there was a clear shift to southwesterly winds, which coincided with an increase in wind speed. There was a brief period on 14 and 20 March when winds temporarily blew from southerly and southeastern directions, before shifting again to a dominant westerly direction in the last week.
Sunshine and UV Index:
Sunshine: peaks and troughs
The amount of sunshine varied widely from day to day. Sunshine hours gradually increased in the first half of the month, with a clear peak on 14 and 15 March, when the sun shone for a long time. Thereafter, sunshine hours declined, to be remarkably high again around 24 and 28 March.
Some days had significantly less sunshine, such as 4 and 24 March, on which the sun was seen only briefly. This pattern reflects the typical transition from winter to spring.
UV radiation
The UV index, which measures the intensity of solar radiation, increased during the month. In the first half of March, UV radiation remained relatively low, but from 18 March, it increased noticeably.
Particularly high UV index was measured on 20, 26 and 28 March, indicating strong solar radiation. On these days, it was extra important to wear protection, such as sunscreen and sunglasses.
Conclusion
March 2025 brought a mix of sunshine and cloudy skies in Tielt, with a total of 121.8 sunshine hours. The second half of the month in particular saw several sunny days. The rising UV index towards the end of March underlines the importance of sun protection during prolonged sun exposure.
With April approaching and the increasing strength of the sun, it is wise to be prepared for longer sunny spells. Hopefully, spring will bring more beautiful days!
Air Quality:
March brought a varied picture of air quality in Tielt, with both peaks of pollution and periods of cleaner air. Using the analysed data, visually represented in the graph above, we discuss the main trends and notable moments of the month.
Strong Spikes in Air Pollution
The first week of March saw some of the highest levels of air pollution. Especially on 3, 4 and 5 March, air quality was rated as poor, with concentrations well above average. This could be due to a combination of weather conditions and increased emissions from traffic and industry. Pollution levels also clearly spiked on 10 March and again on 25 March.
Relatively Clean Days
However, not all days were equally problematic. In the period around 13 to 15 March, values were remarkably lower, possibly indicating better ventilation by winds or a decrease in local emissions. Air quality levels were also better on 23 and 30 March, resulting in a more pleasant and healthier atmosphere for Tielt residents.
Possible Causes and Trends
The observed trends can be attributed to several factors:
- Weather influences: Wind and precipitation play a crucial role in dispersing and removing pollutants from the air.
- Human activities: car traffic and industrial processes remain major sources of air pollution, especially during working days.
- Seasonal effects: In March, we often see changing weather conditions that affect air quality.
Conclusion
March was a month with typical spring characteristics: fluctuating temperatures, limited precipitation and alternating sunshine and clouds. The drought may affect nature, while rising UV radiation indicates the approach of spring. Air quality experienced fluctuating periods, underlining the importance of monitoring and awareness.
How did you experience the weather in March? Let us know in the comments! We are already looking forward to what April will bring us.
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