Warm Temperatures Ring in the New Year

For the first week of 2023, the Midwest saw temperatures that were well above normal, except in western Minnesota where near-normal temperatures were recorded (Figure 1). The largest statewide temperature deviation this week was seen in Ohio (15.5°F above normal). Crawford County, Ohio’s, mean temperature this week was 49.5°F, which was 20.3°F above normal. Maximum temperatures followed the same above normal pattern, except some slightly below normal temperatures snuck into western Minnesota (Figure 2). Minimum temperatures were consistently above normal throughout the Midwest, with the most above normal pockets in northern Wisconsin/Michigan and northeastern Ohio (Figure 3). Most stations in the southern and eastern Midwest recorded temperatures in the top ten warmest on record for the first week of January (Figure 4).

Above Normal Precipitation

Most areas in the Midwest, besides the northwest corner of Minnesota, received at least 0.5 inches of precipitation this week (Figure 5). Much of the Midwest saw over 100 percent of normal precipitation, except for some small areas in Missouri and Kentucky that received slightly less than normal precipitation totals (Figure 6). The western Midwest saw the largest departures as many stations received 200-500 percent of normal precipitation and in some cases, up to 750 percent of normal. The highest one-day maximum precipitation in the Midwest this week was recorded in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, on January 3rd with 5.56 inches. Each Midwestern state this week had at least one station record a precipitation ranking within the top ten wettest on record for the first week of January (Figure 7). Stations in northwestern Minnesota tied for driest first week of January on record. The abundant precipitation this week caused streamflow conditions to trend more toward normal. Along the Ohio River, many stations recorded streamflows that were 90th percentile or higher (Figure 8).

Above Normal Snowfall in Northwestern Midwest

Snowfall totals were well below normal in much of the region, except southern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa (Figure 9). Sections of the north received up to 15 inches of snowfall, or greater (up to 750% of normal snowfall) (Figure 10). The highest snowfall total recorded this week was in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, where 22.2 inches of snow was received. Fourty-seven daily snowfall records were broken or tied this week; those all occurred in the band of snow that extended from Iowa through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Figure 11).

Severe Weather

There were 11 tornado reports, 4 hail reports, and 14 high wind reports this week (Figure 12). One EF-0 tornado was reported in Christian County, Kentucky, on the morning of January 2nd. The rest of the tornadoes were associated with a severe system that moved through central Illinois on January 3rd. Wind speeds reached 100 mph, and there was debris and minor damage to buildings. Hail was reported on January 3rd in northern and central Illinois; most hail was under half an inch in diameter, but some hailstones were reported to be about one inch wide. High winds were reported in western Kentucky on January 2nd and in Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois on January 3rd, which caused downed trees and power lines.