Temperature

Temperatures averaged below normal for much of the region (Figure 1). Temperatures were most below normal across northern Minnesota, where they averaged 6-8°F below normal. Elsewhere, temperatures were only slightly below normal, generally by 1-5°F.

Minimum temperatures were 2-5°F below normal for most of the region (Figure 2). In northern Minnesota, minimum temperatures were as much as 10°F below normal. In parts of Ohio, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), and western Missouri, minimum temperatures were closer to normal.

Maximum temperatures were below normal for many locations across the Upper Midwest and east of the Mississippi River (Figure 3). Across Missouri and northwestern Iowa, maximum temperatures were 3-6°F above normal. A stretch of warm weather at the end of the week brought 70°F + temperatures to some of the region’s southern states on multiple days. In Springfield, Missouri, the month ended with 6 days with temperatures above 70°F, the third most days above 70°F for the month of February since 1888.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was minimal for much of the region, with many areas reporting no precipitation (Figure 4). Eastern areas saw the most precipitation, though it was less than 50 percent of normal. Only in northern Michigan was precipitation near to above normal for the week. Precipitation largely fell as light to moderate snowfall across eastern and northern areas. Some lakeshore locations, particularly in Michigan’s UP, received a foot or more of snow (Figure 5).

Drought persisted and even slightly expanded across certain areas from February 17 to February 24 (Figure 6). The largest expansion was made in the D1 category (moderate drought) across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. Simultaneously, conditions slightly improved across the Upper Midwest.