Leap year aside, Williston residents did not dodge the elements in February of 2008. According to the Williston Office of the National Weather Service, last month was much cooler and drier than average. However, no record temperatures were recorded.

Its average temperature was 12.4 degrees, about 4.4 degrees below the normal 16.8 degrees. February's highest temperature came on Leap Day, the 29th when the thermometer climbed to 45 degrees. Its coolest day came on Feb. 10 with 22 below zero.

Williston netted only .27 an inch of precipitation last month, about .12 an inch less than the normal .39 an inch. Data shows 4.2 inches of snow fell at the airport for the month, 1.5 inches below the normal of 5.7 inches.

The average wind speed for February 2008 was 7 mph. Its windiest day occurred on Feb. 17 with wind speeds averaging 18.2 mph. Maximum winds were sustained at 37 mph on Feb. 8. Peak wind gusts of 43 mph occurred on Feb. 8 and 17.

Normal temperatures and precipitation are expected for this March. In the outlook for March, normal highs start in the lower 30s and rise to the upper 40s by month's end. Normal lows for the month begin in the lower teens and rise to the lower 20s by late March.

Normal precipitation for March is .74 an inch.