Weather Info For Bataan Death March
Bataan Memorial Death March
The Weather Of White Sands Missile Range New
Mexico
For the day of the Bataan Death March, 21 March
2010, sunrise and sunset times will be 0708 and 1918 MDT,
respectively.
Late March at WSMR is characterized by abundant sunshine and dry
west-to-southwesterly winds, so marchers can expect warm, windy, and
dry conditions. In fact,
March is the driest month of the year, in terms of average
precipitation, with only 0.30”.
Long dry spells are common.
Not surprisingly, snow and thunderstorms are rare.
The main weather hazard in late March is the
threat of driving windstorms, which can produce areas of blowing
dust and sand, due to the typically dry soil conditions.
Over the period of record 1980-2004, the 24-hour average wind
speed in late March is about 8 mph, with daily maximum gusts of near
30 mph. However, wind
speeds along the east-facing slopes of the Organ and San Andres
Mountains, near much of the march route,
can be much higher, with gusts of 50-60 mph quite common during
windstorms. This is due
to the down sloping effect.
Such gusts greeted many of those crossing the finish line
during the 2005 and 2009 events.
Wind are typically at their calmest early in the morning,
around sunrise, then gradually increase in intensity as the ground
heats up through the morning.
Peak winds are usually observed during the mid- or late
afternoon hours.
Morning low temperatures average in
the low-mid 40’s Fahrenheit, with subfreezing temperatures unlikely.
Ironically, a windy night will actually keep morning
temperatures higher, with low-mid 50’s common in such cases.
Temperatures rise fairly quickly in the late March New Mexico
sun, reaching the mid-60’s by noon and topping out in the mid-70’s
around 1600L.
Exceptionally warm days may reach the mid-80’s.
Relative humidity is low, as might be expected in desert
environs, and in late March average 52% at 0500L, 18% at 1100L, 18%
at 1700L, and 32% at 2300L.
Refunds will not be given due to inclement
weather.
WSMR Weather Forecast
Sources:
U.S. Naval Observatory, White Sands Missile Range Climate Calendar,
White Sands Missile Range Climatology Webpage.
The Next Bataan March is March 27, 2011!
Registration for the 2011 march
will open December 2010
