Midwest Overview - October 2014

---

Near to Above Normal October Precipitation for Majority of Midwest

Much of the Midwest experienced near to above normal precipitation throughout October, with the exception of Minnesota (Figure 1). The highest departures of 200% to 300% of normal monthly precipitation included central Missouri and southeast Kentucky. Based on preliminary statewide data, Kentucky and Missouri experienced their 7th wettest October on record, with statewide totals of 5.52" and 6.24", respectively. On the drier side of things, much of Minnesota only experienced 25% to 50% of normal October precipitation, with some portions of the west lower at only 10% to 25% of normal. Preliminary data shows that statewide, Minnesota only received 1.16" of precipitation for the month, which is the 33rd driest October on record for Minnesota (out of 120 years).

Monthly totals ranged from only 0.5" in western Minnesota to 8" to 10" in central Missouri (Figure 2). The significant precipitation throughout the month in Missouri and Kentucky helped eradicate "abnormally dry" and "moderate drought" conditions in these states (Figure 3). Abnormally dry conditions also disappeared in Ohio and southwest Wisconsin, but spread across Minnesota during its dry October.

Snowfall to Start and End the Month

While October snowfall is rare for much of the region, portions of the Upper Midwest were 1" to 5" below normal in terms of measurable snowfall for October (Figure 4). Snowfall totals ranged from 0.1" in southern Wisconsin and southern Michigan to almost 5" in Upper Michigan (Figure 5). The first measurable snowfalls of the season occurred early in the month in northwest Wisconsin. The only other week during October with reported snowfall was the last week, which marked the first significant snowfall in Upper Michigan. Many locations in the Upper Midwest ended the month with snow on Halloween (October 31st). While not measurable, several stations across the Midwest (as far south as central Illinois) did report traces of snowfall (i.e. flurries) sometime in October.

Near Normal October Temperatures

October average temperatures were within a degree or two of normal for a majority of the Midwest (Figure 6). The central Midwest was 1°F to 2°F cooler than normal, while the outer edges of the region in Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio were 1°F to 3°F above normal. The month started out cooler, with below normal temperatures widespread during the first and second week of the month. The third week was a mix of above, near, and below normal, while the last ten days were above normal for much of the region. Preliminary statewide temperature data shows that seven of the nine Midwest states were within a degree of normal. Missouri and Minnesota were the only states outside of that range, with October departures of 1.7°F and 1.6°F, respectively.

The first 32°F freeze of the season made its way across the Midwest during the month of October (Figure 7). While some locations in the Upper Midwest saw their first 32°F freeze in September, many locations in the Upper Midwest reported their first during the first ten days of October. Some across the central Midwest occurred during the time period of October 11th-20th, and others further south the last ten days of the month. Many locations across Missouri and western Illinois reported their first 32°F within the first few days of November.

-MW-
Extension Climatologist for Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Midwestern Regional Climate Center
The Iowa Climatology Bureau also contributed to this report.
The Missouri Climate Center also contributed to this report.