Unseasonably Warm Temperatures

The first week of November brought above-average temperatures for the entire Midwest. The largest temperature deviations occurred in the eastern Midwest, where parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan saw temperatures of up to 12°F above normal (Figure 1). Minnesota saw the lowest average temperature departure this week (6.3°F) and Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan saw the highest, averaging 10.5°F above normal. Huron County, Michigan observed an average temperature of 58.1°F, which was 15.9°F above the 1991-2020 normal. Maximum temperatures were at least 5°F above normal for the entire Midwest, with the strongest deviations of up to 16°F in the northern Midwest (Figure 2). Minimum temperature departures were at or above normal throughout the whole Midwest as well; parts of Ohio and Kentucky saw the largest deviations of up to 12°F above normal (Figure 3). Overall, this week, there were 313 high maximum and 201 high minimum temperature records broken or tied (Figure 4).

Variable Precipitation

Most of the Midwest saw below-normal precipitation totals this week, except for a swath of above-normal precipitation totals extending from northwest Missouri through northern Michigan. These areas had at least 150 percent of normal precipitation accumulations, and some received up to 500 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 5). This band had precipitation totals up to about 3 inches (Figure 6). On November 5, Oregon County, Missouri, measured 3.4 inches of rain and Waukesha County, Wisconsin, reported 3.58 inches of rain. This week, 163 precipitation records were broken or tied (Figure 7). Every state besides Ohio and Kentucky had a precipitation record set or tied. The eastern Midwest continued the dry trend as much of this area received less than 75 percent of normal precipitation.

Drought Monitor Update

The November 1 US Drought Monitor indicated a 2.08% decrease of land in a drought category compared to last week (Figure 9). The Extreme Drought (D3) areas were extended in southern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. Most improvements occurred in central Missouri as the Severe Drought (D2) and Moderate Drought (D1) categories saw some improvement. Additional improvement occurred to the D1 in northern Indiana and northeast Illinois.

High Winds

A low-pressure system moving through the Midwest produced widespread winds of 45-75 mph in Illinois and Indiana between November 4 and 5. In Illinois, the top wind speed recorded was 77 mph in West Chicago, and in Indiana, the top wind speed was 65 mph in Frankfort. An EF-0 tornado occurred with these strong winds in Kendall County, Illinois. Peak wind speeds in Indiana can be found here, central Illinois can be found here, and northern Illinois can be found here.

Storm Reports

This week, there was 1 tornado report, 17 hail reports, and 71 wind reports (Figure 10).

• •November 4- All hail reports took place on this day and occurred around the borders of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Hail with a diameter of 1-1.25 inches was reported in Linn County, Iowa, and Dane and Dodge Counties in Wisconsin. There were also a few high wind reports in Iowa and Missouri. Cedar County, Iowa reported winds of 64 mph. This activity caused downed trees and branches.

• •November 5- An EF-0 tornado was reported in Kendall County, Illinois, with wind speeds of 80 mph. Details of the tornado and its path can be seen in this tweet. The majority of wind reports were also from this day, and occurred in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The strongest recorded wind speed was 80 mph in Cook County, Illinois. This severe weather resulted in downed trees and power lines, causing damage to property and power outages. This tweet shows the highest recorded wind speeds in northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio.