Temperatures

Temperatures averaged most below normal over the Ohio Valley by 10-12°F (Figure 1). In the Upper Midwest, temperatures were just slightly below normal by 1-3°F, and near normal for the northernmost extremities of the region. A strong frontal system had pushed through toward the end of the prior week, and with a preexisting snowpack and another cold front toward the end of this week, temperatures generally did not warm back to normal for most of the week.

Minimum temperatures were below normal by at least 10°F for most of the southern areas (Figure 2). They were near to slightly below normal for the Upper Midwest, though parts of Michigan’s UP and northern Minnesota were slightly above normal.

Maximum temperatures were below normal everywhere, but most notably in the east (Figure 3). In Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, some spots averaged maximum temperatures that were over 10°F below normal.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was not as plentiful this week with drier and colder air in place. Most of the region received 50-75 percent of normal precipitation, and in Iowa, southern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin it was less than that (Figure 4). Most of what did fall fell as snow or frozen precipitation (Figure 5). The system that pushed through around January 10 brought measurable snow to much of the region, with parts of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky picking up 3-6 inches.

There were minimal changes to the drought monitor for the Midwest this week. Slight improvements in abnormally dry conditions were made in Indiana and Illinois (Figure 6). There were little to no changes elsewhere.