Abnormal November Warmth Continues

The region dealt with widespread above-average temperatures for the second week in a row. Every state in the Midwest had an average temperature that was above average, ranging from departures of 2.9°F above normal in Ohio to a whopping 10°F above normal in Minnesota. In Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, the average daily temperature was 12-14°F above normal in spots (Figure 1).

The best picture of abnormal temperatures came from the daily maximum temperatures, which were almost 20°F above normal in parts of the Upper Midwest (Figure 2). Records were being set immediately as the period started. Melrose, Minnesota reported a temperature of 63°F on November 16, which was 25°F above normal and a daily record. A daily record of 69°F was set in Minneapolis on November 16, and in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a temperature of 70°F tied the previous record for the day. In Rochester, Minnesota, a temperature of 67°F was 26°F above normal and was tied for the second warmest on record on November 16. In Toledo, a temperature of 69°F was the second warmest on record for the area. In South Bend, a temperature of 67°F on November 16 was 20°F above normal and a top five record for the date. By November 19, things had cooled across most of the Midwest, but in Windom, Minnesota, a temperature of 64°F was the warmest on record in 95 years of record-keeping. In total, 77 record high maximum temperature records were set region-wide this period (Figure 3).

Minimum temperatures were also above normal for much of the region, but not everywhere. While states west of the Mississippi River averaged 5-10°F above normal for minimum temperatures, there were spots in Ohio and Michigan that came in at 2-4°F below normal for the period (Figure 4). In fact, Ann Arbor, Michigan had a top ten coldest minimum temperature on November 18, with an observation of 19°F, 11°F below normal. Midland, Michigan had its 7th coldest daily minimum temperature on the same date, with an observation of 24°F. However, record low minimum temperatures were still quite infrequent across the region, and by the end of the period, many minimum temperatures were again broken by record high minimums. Milan, Minnesota had a minimum temperature of 41°F on November 20, 19°F above normal and a record for the date. In superior, Wisconsin, a minimum temperature of 36°F was tied for the 5th warmest on record. In Sioux City, a temperature of 43°F on November 20 was the third warmest on record for the date.

Northern Drought Continued, while Southern Areas Saw Healthy Rains

It was Ohio and Kentucky that received the most rain this past week, with large sections of each state reporting over an inch of rain (Figure 5). According to Kentucky Mesonet data, isolated areas received over 2 inches from a low pressure system that moved through November 20-21. The rain continued into Ohio, which observed the bulk of precipitation on November 21. Zanesville, Ohio observed its wettest November 21 on record, with 0.99 inches, as did London, Kentucky, with 1.04 inches. On the other hand, the Upper Midwest remained largely dry, and little to no snow was observed due to above-normal temperatures.

Drought continued to impact the region. There was virtually no change on November 21 from the week prior, with slight increases in coverage of D0 (abnormally dry), D1 (moderate drought) and D2 (severe drought) conditions (Figure 6). D1 expanded across southern Illinois, and D2 persisted or expanded slightly in Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa and the Upper Midwest.