Cold in the West, Near Normal in the East

Average temperature departures were in excess of 10°F for much of Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin (Figure 1). Saint Louis County, Minnesota, observed an average temperature of –6.6°F, which was 19°F below normal. Looking to the east, lesser temperature departures were observed. Near normal temperatures were observed in eastern Indiana, eastern Kentucky, and Ohio. Maximum temperature departures followed a similar trend (cold in the west, near normal in the east) (Figure 2). As for minimum temperatures, more significant deviations were observed in the west (Figure 3). Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri all experienced temperature departures more than 10°F below normal. Western Iowa and a large portion of Minnesota experienced temperatures over 18°F below normal. Above normal minimum temperatures (1-2°F) were observed in eastern Kentucky and Ohio. There were 35 daily low temperature and 101 daily low maximum temperature records broken or tied this week (Figure 4).

Above Normal Precipitation in the Ohio River Valley

Heavy precipitation fell in the Ohio River Valley this week, where many areas saw over 1 inch (Figure 5). In southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Ohio, and Kentucky, heavier precipitation amounts fell. Many southern Indiana and Kentucky areas saw more than 2” of precipitation, 200-300 percent of mean precipitation (Figure 6). To the north and west, most locations observed less than 1 inch of precipitation for the week (10-75 percent of normal precipitation). There were 59 daily high precipitation records broken or tied this week (Figure 7).

Snowfall in the North, Mixed Precipitation in the South

Much of Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan saw greater than 3 inches of snow this week (Figure 8), which was more than 200 percent of mean snowfall (Figure 9). Michigan’s Upper Peninsula recorded two consecutive days historic snowfall totals. Snowfall totals were in excess of 20 inches. Nagaunee Township topped the chart with 37.1 inches of snowfall. Isolated locations received more than 7.5 inches. Many areas through Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky saw mixed precipitation and minor ice accumulations contributing to slick roads.

Severe Storm Damage in Kentucky

There were 5 storm reports (1 tornado, 4 wind) in the Midwest this week (Figure 10). An EF0 tornado briefly touched down in Fulton County, Kentucky. The National Weather Service surveyed the tornado damage and determined that estimated peak winds were 75 mph with a path length of 0.7 miles and a maximum width of 100 yards. The tornado caused damage to livestock barns, grain systems, and trees. Wind damage was also reported in Butler County, Kentucky, associated with a microburst with estimated winds of 90 mph, a path length of 6.5 miles, and a maximum width of 1000 yards.

Drought Lingers in the Upper Midwest

Moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought continued to affect portions of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northern Michigan. Conditions were largely unchanged over the last week. Comparing this week to the start of winter, long-term conditions have been improving across northern Minnesota but worsening for southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and central Michigan (Figure 11).