Below Normal Temperatures in the West; Above Normal in the East

This week, much of the Midwest saw near-normal temperatures, with cooler-than-normal temperatures in the west and above-normal temperatures in the east (Figure 1). Statewide, Michigan saw the highest average temperature departure (4.1°F above normal) and Missouri saw the lowest (0.5°F below normal). Michigan’s Cheboygan County recorded an average temperature of 44.5°F (6.5°F above normal) and Big Stone County, Minnesota observed an average temperature of 27.9°F (6.8°F below normal), making those the largest average temperature deviations in the Midwest this week. Midwest maximum temperatures followed a similar pattern (Figure 2). Michigan saw maximum temperatures up to 6°F above normal and western Minnesota experienced maximum temperatures up to 12°F below normal. Minimum temperatures were above average for a large portion of the region, with areas slightly below normal in the west (Figure 3). Overall, this week, there were 235 maximum and 170 minimum high temperature records broken or tied (Figure 4).

Variable Precipitation

The central portion of the Midwest received little precipitation this week, whereas the northern and southern Midwest saw above normal precipitation (Figure 5). Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan received up to 750 percent of normal precipitation, and eastern Ohio and Kentucky received up to 400 percent of normal precipitation. Eastern Kentucky and Ohio had remnants of Hurricane Nicole pushing through the area, which contributed to many locations receiving 1.5 to 3 inches of precipitation (Figure 6). While much of this precipitation was rain, a cold front also pushed through the area which resulted in mixed precipitation and trace snowfall. Monroe County, Ohio recorded 3.2 inches of precipitation on November 12, which was the highest total from this system. In the far northern Midwest, however, snowfall was the dominant form of precipitation received, with totals ranging up to and over a foot (Figure 7). Marquette County, Michigan recorded 13.3 inches of snowfall this week as 7.8 inches fell on November 11, making that the highest recorded snowfall total this week. Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri also had snow totals up to 2.5 inches. This was the first widespread accumulating snow for many, including central Indiana, where totals reached 2.9 inches throughout the area. Overall, 102 precipitation records were set or tied this week, with the highest concentrations being in the northwest and southeast sections of the Midwest (Figure 8). Streamflows remained about consistent with last week, but most states saw some improvement. (Figure 9).

Drought Monitor Update

The November 8 US Drought Monitor brought one category improvements to many locations in the western Midwest (Figure 10). Iowa and Missouri had these improvements to areas in all drought categories. However, the eastern Midwest had expansion of drought. Moderate Drought (D1) conditions were expanded in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.