February 2025 Overview – Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Temperature

The average February temperature for the Midwest was 24.2°F, which was 2.1°F below the 1991-2020 normal. West of the Mississippi River, temperatures were 2 to 5°F cooler than normal, while conditions were near to slightly above normal in the eastern half of the region (Figure 1). Statewide average temperatures ranged from 3.8°F below normal in Minnesota to 0.5°F above normal in Kentucky (Figure 2). Temperatures to start and end the month were mild while mid-month conditions were very cold. Early warmth peaked on February 3 across the lower Midwest with high temperatures 25 to 30 °F above normal (Figure 3). An active weather pattern followed, ushering in persistently cold air. Seven-day average temperatures were 15 to 20°F below normal across the western half of the region from February 15-22 (Figure 4). In Sioux City, Iowa, maximum temperatures remained below 10°F for four consecutive days, February 16-19, for only the second time in February since 1989. In Butler, Missouri, a station with records dating back to 1890 measured low temperatures of -9°F or below for three consecutive days, February 20-22, for the first time on record. Temperatures thawed late in the month with most of the region having high temperatures 15 to 25°F above normal from February 24-28 (Figure 5). The average winter (December-February) temperature for the Midwest was 24.7°F, which was 0.8°F below normal (Figure 6).

Precipitation

February precipitation totaled 1.67 inches for the Midwest, which was 0.17 inches below normal, or 91 percent of normal (Figure 2). Precipitation was variable across the region. Above-normal precipitation was measured across the Ohio River Valley, with most of Kentucky having 4 to 6 inches more than usual (Figure 7). Precipitation across the far upper Midwest was up to 1 inch above normal. Conversely, the central and western Midwest logged little moisture, with monthly totals less than half of normal. Missouri, central Illinois, and the northern half of Indiana had precipitation deficits of 1 to 2 inches. Statewide precipitation totals ranged from 1.09 inches below normal in Missouri to 3.43 inches above normal in Kentucky (Figure 2). Final rankings indicate Kentucky had its 9th wettest February on record. The final total winter (December-February) precipitation was 5.25 inches, which was 0.72 inches below normal for the season (Figure 6).

Snowfall

Snowfall was above normal across the lower Midwest and far upper Midwest while snowfall was lacking in the central portion of the region (Figure 8). Across the lower Midwest, February snowfall totaled 2.5 to 7 inches, which was 175 to 400 percent of normal for the month. Michigan’s snowbelt regions had 20 to 50 inches, while far upper Midwest saw 10 to 20 inches of snowfall, which is above normal for these areas (Figure 9). Totals of less than 5 inches were widespread from Illinois eastward through Ohio, which is 25 to 75 percent of normal. Notably, southern Minnesota had less than 5 inches of snow in February, which is only 10 to 50 percent of normal. Winter (December-February) snowfall totals were above normal in the southern half of the region, below normal across the northern half, and near normal in Michigan’s lake-effected areas (Figure 10). Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, had its 2nd highest winter snowfall since 1888 with 138.9 inches.

Drought

February closed with about 40 percent of the region in drought, up 8 percent from the start of the month (Figure 11). About 26 percent of the region was abnormally dry. Drought and dryness were widespread across the upper Midwest, with the most severe conditions in northern Michigan and northern Minnesota. The Ohio River Valley was drought-free by month’s end, aided by ample winter precipitation.

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding in Kentucky

An extended storm event dropped 3 to 7 inches of rainfall across Kentucky on February 15-16 (Figure 12). Rivers rose rapidly, leading to widespread flooding across most of the state and at least 21 fatalities. Over 300 roadways were closed, and over 1,000 water rescues occurred. More than 40,000 customers were without power, and another 9,000 were without water. Mudslides happened in the mountainous areas of eastern Kentucky. Cold air and several inches of snow blanketed the state in the days following the rainstorms, complicating recovery efforts.