MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – March is the third snowiest month on average in the Twin Cities, and this March is living up to that reputation.

Our warmest high temperature so far this month is 40 degrees – a far cry from March of last year, when we were dealing with record warmth.

Ah, March 2012, Mother Nature allowed ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Only 1.3 inches of snow fell all month, and temperatures soared with 23 days at 50 degrees or warmer. Seven of those days were in the 70s – and it hit 80 degrees on St. Patrick’s Day.

But in March 2013, 9.9 inches of snow have fallen so far. Empty playgrounds lay shrouded in winter white, and sidewalks have been repeatedly shoveled. Currently, there is six inches of snow depth in the Twin Cities, and that snow cover is helping to keep temperatures cool and spring at bay.

At this point, it is plausible that we may not hit 50 degrees in the Twin Cities at all this March. If so, it would be the first time since 2001.