Midwest Weekly Highlights - October 22-31, 2015

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Ample Rain Finally Comes

After a very dry first three weeks of October (Figure 1), the end of the month brought well-above-normal rainfall for most of the Midwest (Figure 2).  Almost the entire region registered over an inch of precipitation during the period, with areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and eastern Iowa receiving more than two inches.  The remnants of Hurricane Patricia also paid a visit to the region on October 27-28, leaving more than three inches of rain across western Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. This was two to three times the normal amount for the period (Figure 3). Despite the excess rainfall, most of the region still recorded less than normal precipitation for October (Figure 4).
 

Temperatures Slightly Above Normal

Warm temperatures were common to end October across most of the Midwest (Figure 5). Minnesota, Wisconsin and southern Lower Michigan all had temperatures 1-3°F above normal over the period.  Temperatures were a bit warmer in the Ohio Valley, with southern Indiana 3-5°F above normal.  Meanwhile, Iowa and Missouri were near normal over the period.  Pockets of the U.P. of Michigan were also slightly below normal.  High temperatures across the region were largely within 2°F of normal (Figure 6), but low temperatures skewed warmer across most of the region and brought average temperatures above normal (Figure 7).
 

Remnants of Hurricane Patricia in the Midwest

For the second time this year, a tropical system had an effect on the Midwest.  While hurricane Patricia rapidly dissipated on October 24 over Mexico, the remnant tropical moisture brought excess precipitation to Texas and the south central U.S.  While the remnant low dissipated over the southern U.S., tropical moisture from the storm streamed into the Midwest on October 27-28 where it interacted with a developing system over southern Minnesota (Figure 8).  The effects were most prominent in southern Indiana and Kentucky, where upwards of four inches of rain fell through the morning of October 28.  This was a welcome sight, as southern Indiana was classified in moderate drought in the latest drought monitor.
 

Tornadoes in Northwest Iowa

A series of tornadoes moved through northwest Iowa on October 23, producing minor damage. All six tornadoes were rated at EF-0. Read the full report from NWS Sioux Falls, SD. 

Drought Worsens, but Some Relief Comes

The latest Drought Monitor through October 27 showed nearly 16 percent of the Midwest in drought, the most area covered in drought since mid-May (Figure 9).  Through October 27, almost the entire region had below normal precipitation in October (Figure 10).  Eight of the nine states in the region had at least some area in drought.  However, Patricia’s moisture and another two systems moved through the region during the remainder of the month, bringing ample precipitation to some drought-stricken areas.

-BJP-