March 1-7, 2025

Temperature

Average temperatures were above normal for much of the region (Figure 1). Along and south of I-80, temperatures averaged 2-4°F above normal. Heading north and west, much of Michigan and Wisconsin were about 3-5°f above normal, with parts of northern Iowa and Minnesota 6-8°F above normal. Isolated parts of northwestern Minnesota were around 10°F above normal for the week.

As for minimum temperatures, anomalies were similar to average temperatures (Figure 2). Minimum temperatures averaged 2-4°F above normal along and south of I-80. Minimum temperatures were most above normal across the Upper Midwest, generally in the range of 6-8°F, with isolated pockets in Minnesota near 10°F above normal. In Preston, Minnesota, a station with records dating back to 1952 observed a minimum temperature of 39°F on March 4, which was 23°F above normal and the warmest minimum temperature in the first week of March since 2012.

Maximum temperatures were above normal region-wide (Figure 3). They were most above normal through northern Iowa and Minnesota, in some spots by 10°F. In Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, a temperature of 51°F was observed on March 4, which was 25°F above normal and the warmest temperature in the first week of March since 2017. In Baudette, Minnesota, a station with records dating back to 1908 observed 2 consecutive days of temperatures at or above 50°F, March 3-4, for only the fourth time on record during the first week of March.

Precipitation/March 5-6 Snowstorm

Precipitation was most notable across the western and Upper Midwest (Figure 4). Parts of Iowa received 400-500 percent of normal precipitation for the week, likely due to above normal snowfall for the period (Figure 5). In Mason City, Iowa, 4 inches of snow fell on March 5, making it the largest March snowfall since 2018. Gusty winds created hazardous road conditions on I-35 between in northern Polk County, Iowa. Further north, parts of Minnesota received 6-12 inches, with even larger totals nearing two feet across Michigan’s UP. Marquette, Michigan observed 20.80 inches of snow on March 6, making it the 3rd largest March snowfall since records began in 1961.

By March 4, minimal changes were made to drought conditions (Figure 6). Some D1 (moderate drought) was introduced across Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, and a small area of northeastern Missouri entered D2 (severe drought). Increased snowfall and precipitation during the prior period prevented changes across the Upper Midwest.