Midwest Weekly Highlights - October 1-7, 2014

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Wet Week to Kick Off October

A majority of the Midwest received above normal precipitation during the first week of October, with the greatest departures of 400% to 750% of normal across east-central Missouri and central Illinois (Figure 1). The rest of the region received normal to above normal precipitation, with the exception of western Minnesota, east-central Iowa, and portions of western Kentucky which were below normal. Weekly totals ranged from only 0.01" in western Minnesota to over 4" in east-central Missouri and west-central Illinois (Figure 2). Much of the heavy precipitation that fell in Missouri and Illinois occurred early in the month, from October 1st-3rd (Figure 3).
 

First Measurable Snowfalls of the Winter 2014-2015 Season

The first measurable snowfalls of the season were recorded in the upper Midwest during the first week of October. Totals ranging from 0.1" to 2" fell from October 3rd-4th, mainly in northwest Wisconsin (Figure 4). Snowfall in early October is earlier than normal for this part of the Midwest where the median date for first measurable snowfall is typically either in late October or the sometime in the first ten days of November (Figure 5). The earliest dates for first measurable snowfall range from late September through mid-October in this area (Figure 6). According to the Twin Cities, MN NWS office report, Eau Claire, WI (Eau Claire County) set two records when 0.6" fell on October 4th. This snowfall was the earliest measurable snowfall for this station (previous record was 0.8" on October 9, 1932), as well as the new "daily snowfall extreme" for October 4th.

Near to Below Normal Temperatures Across the Region

Average temperatures were near to below normal across much of the Midwest during the first week of October (Figure 7). The greatest departures of 6°F to 7°F below normal were in southeast Minnesota. Southern Missouri was slightly above normal, but only by 1°F to 3°F. While minimum temperatures were near to slightly below normal for much of the region (Figure 8), the main driver for the widespread below normal temperatures was significantly below normal maximum temperatures throughout the region (Figure 9). In fact, some portions of Minnesota experienced average maximum temperatures that were 9°F to 10°F below normal.

As of the first week of October, a majority of the upper Midwest has experienced the first 32°F freeze of the fall season (Figure 10), while some have also experienced the first 28°F freeze (Figure 11). Based on 1981-2010 median dates for the first 32°F freeze, the rest of the Midwest typically experiences their first 32°F during October, with the exception of a few southern stations where early November is the median date (Figure 12).

Severe Weather in Lower Midwest

Severe weather during the first week of October was confined to the lower Midwest, with the majority of reports occurring in Missouri and Kentucky (Figure 13). October 1st and 2nd were active severe weather days in western portions of the region, while October 6th and 7th were active in the east. There were multiple tornado reports in Kentucky, most of which occurred on October 7th. One injury was reported as a result of an EF-1 tornado in Paris, KY (Bourbon County) on October 7th.

Harvest Progress Behind the 5-Year Average

The harvesting of corn and soybeans continues across the Midwest. While there was progress made over the past week, all nine Midwest states remain behind the reported 2009-2013 average for harvesting corn and soybeans (as of October 5, 2014). Illinois and Iowa are 22% and 21% behind the 5-year average (respectively) for harvesting corn, while Iowa and Minnesota are 33% and 25% behind the 5-year average (respectively) for harvesting soybeans.

-MW-
Extension Climatologist for Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Midwestern Regional Climate Center