Temperature

Average temperatures were above normal west of I-65 and below normal to the east (Figure 1). Across eastern Ohio, temperatures averaged up to 12°F below normal. For Illinois and Wisconsin, temperatures were generally 3-6°F above normal. West of the Mississippi River, many locations were 10°F or more above normal. The greatest departures were across northwestern Iowa and western Minnesota, where temperatures averaged 15-20°F above normal in spots.

Minimum temperatures were below normal across the Ohio Valley and above normal along and west of the Mississippi River (Figure 2). Across much of Minnesota, temperatures were 12-16°F above normal, while western Minnesota alone was 16-20°F above normal. Minimum temperatures were 8-12°F below normal across eastern Michigan and eastern Ohio.

Maximum temperatures averaged above normal west of I-65 and below normal across eastern areas (Figure 3). Maximum temperatures were most above normal across Iowa, western Missouri, and western Minnesota, where temperatures averaged as much as 20°F above normal. In Sioux City, Iowa, a temperature of 75°F was observed, tying the record for the 2nd warmest February day on record since 1889.

Precipitation/Drought

Most states observed no precipitation (Figure 4). Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), Kentucky, and parts of Missouri observed some measurable precipitation. Michigan’s UP observed some lake effect snow totaling up to 6-8 inches in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

With a lack of precipitation, drought expanded from February 3 to February 10 (Figure 5). D0 (abnormally dry conditions) increased in coverage by over 2 percent; D1 (moderate drought) increased in coverage by over 3 percent; and D2 (severe drought) increased in coverage by over 2 percent. There was no change in D3 (extreme drought) across the region. Drought expanded over Illinois and Missouri.