crobb305 - 5:31 pm on Mar 14, 2011 (gmt 0)

I think the earthquake in Japan played a role, as many were glued to the news, etc. But also, the change of seasons may be playing a role. Here in the northern hemisphere, as we approach spring, many schools are out for spring break, and many others with cabin fever are getting out to enjoy the warmer weather.

As the southern hemisphere approaches autumn, many of them may be enjoying the final days of summer. I always see a slight dip in traffic around mid March -- even into early April given that not all schools observe spring break simultaneously. April 15 is often another dip, when everyone in the U.S. is doing their last-minute tax returns (of course this year, we get a couple of extra days to file).

[edited by: crobb305 at 5:36 pm (utc) on Mar 14, 2011]