December 2025 Overview – Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Temperature

The average December temperature for the Midwest was 25.7°F, which was 2.0°F below the 1991-2020 normal (Figure 1). Temperatures ranged from 1 to 5°F below normal in the central and upper Midwest to as much as 5°F above normal in the far southwest portion of the region (Figure 2). Statewide average temperatures ranged from 1.5°F above normal in Missouri to 3.8°F below normal in Wisconsin. Multiple Arctic air masses traversed the region during the first half of the month, resulting in average temperatures 8 to 16°F below normal from December 1-15 (Figure 3). Air temperatures on December 14 dropped below -5°F as far south as central Illinois and central Indiana, with temperatures below -20°F in northern Minnesota (Figure 4). Conditions moderated for the second half of the month, with average temperatures ranging from 4 to 14°F above normal for most of the Midwest from December 16-31 (Figure 5). On December 28, high temperatures reached 60 to 80°F across the lower Midwest (Figure 6), breaking numerous daily high temperature records in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio (Figure 7). The extreme cold was largely offset by the extreme warmth, resulting in no monthly temperature records across the region.

Precipitation

December precipitation totaled 1.45 inches for the Midwest, which was 0.74 inches below normal, or 66 percent of normal (Figure 1). Precipitation was variable across the region (Figure 8). Conditions were near to above normal for most of the upper Midwest, southeast Iowa, and parts of northern Illinois (Figure 9). Conversely, precipitation was below normal across the lower Midwest and most of Iowa. Statewide precipitation totals ranged from 0.53 inches above normal in Michigan to 2.19 inches below normal in Kentucky (Figure 1). Precipitation for the state of Missouri was just 21 percent of normal, resulting in the 3rd driest December on record. With just 0.08 inches for the month, Lamar, in southwest Missouri, had its driest December in 128 years. Conversely, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, received 5.19 inches, making it their 3rd wettest December in 138 years.

Drought

Drought conditions remained mostly unchanged throughout December across the region. The month closed with about 68 percent of the region classified as abnormally dry or in drought (Figure 10). Drought and dryness affected portions of all nine states, with dryness expanding in Kentucky and Missouri in December. Extreme (D3) drought lingered in portions of east-central Illinois, northern Indiana, and northwest Ohio.

Snowfall

December snowfall totals ranged from 5 to 20 inches across the central and upper Midwest, with totals reaching 30 to 80 inches in lake-affected areas downwind of Lakes Superior and Michigan (Figure 11). While these amounts were near to slightly above normal for the upper Midwest and lake-affected regions, the totals were unusually high for parts of the central and lower Midwest (Figure 12). A wide swath from central Iowa southeastward to Ohio and Kentucky had snowfall totals of 8-15 inches, which was 200-500 percent of normal.

December Thaw and High Winds – December 18-19

A fast-moving low-pressure system (“Alberta Clipper”) moved across the upper Midwest December 18-19, bringing blizzard-like conditions to Minnesota and a surge of warmer-than-normal temperatures ahead of a strong cold front that traversed the region. Air temperatures reached the upper 50s in the lower Midwest and upper 40s in Michigan and the southern half of Wisconsin (Figure 13). This “December Thaw” melted away the early-December snowpack that had blanketed the lower Midwest and thinned snow depths further north by half. As the cold front moved through, winds gusted up to 50-60 mph from Minnesota to Ohio.

December 28-29 Severe Weather Outbreak and Blizzard

A strong low-pressure system moved across the Midwest and Great Lakes on December 28-29, resulting in a variety of weather conditions across the region. In the north, a warm and foggy air mass gave way to wet, cold, and windy conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Blizzard Warnings for more than 50 counties across Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and most of Wisconsin had Winter Storm Warnings in effect. State Patrol responded to nearly one thousand accidents on southern Minnesota roadways as 40-55 mph winds brought whiteout conditions due to blowing snow. Across the lower Midwest, temperatures rose to record and near-record highs ahead of a strong cold front. The warm, humid air supported the development of thunderstorms across the lower Midwest (Figure 14). At least 13 tornadoes were confirmed in Illinois and Indiana, including an EF2 near Decatur, Illinois, that had winds up to 120 mph. Six of those tornadoes occurred in the Chicago NWS forecast area, becoming that area’s latest tornadoes in the calendar year on record. Following the severe weather, a strong cold front brought 40-60 mph straight-line winds across the lower Midwest, with localized gusts over 60 mph.