Above Normal Temperatures Return

Above normal temperatures returned this week across the Midwest (Figure 1). A large majority of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Minnesota had temperatures over 9°F above normal. Northern Ohio was the warmest with temperatures that were 12-14°F above normal. Summit County, located in northeast Ohio, clocked in with an average temperature of 53.4°F, which was 13.9°F above normal for the week. Maximum temperatures were also widespread above normal, with several areas in excess of 10°F above normal (Figure 2). Northern Ohio averaged 17-19°F above normal. Minimum temperature departures were not as extreme, but most areas were in excess of 5°F above normal (Figure 3). Isolated locations throughout the Midwest observed minimum temperatures in excess of 9°F above normal. There were 21 daily high maximum and 8 daily high minimum temperature records broken or tied this week (Figure 4).

Variable Precipitation

Most of the Midwest, except for Minnesota, northwest Iowa, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, received precipitation (Figure 5). Lesser precipitation totals (0.05-0.3 inches) occurred in Kentucky and southeast Ohio. Variable rainfall amounts fell across the rest of the Midwest, where totals generally ranged from 0.5-0.75 inches. Isolated pockets in Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and northern Michigan, received 0.75-1.25 inches this week. Many areas received less than 100 percent of normal rainfall, except for central Iowa, isolated locations in Missouri, northern Indiana, and parts of Michigan (Figure 6). The highest precipitation totaled 1.8 inches in Clayton County, Iowa, which was 1.33 inches above normal for the week. There were 41 daily precipitation records broken or tied this week, where most occurred in Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and Michigan (Figure 7).

Wisconsin and Southwestern Iowa Receive Snow

The heaviest snowfall totals occurred in northeastern Wisconsin and northwest Michigan. Regions along Lake Michigan received just over 6 inches (Figure 8). Langlade County, located in northeast Wisconsin, received 6.5 inches of snow (4.8 inches above normal). Southwest Iowa also received snow totals ranging from 0.5-1.25 inches. Four stations in Wisconsin, one station in Iowa, and one in northern Michigan, observed broken or tied daily snowfall records (Figure 9).

Severe Thunderstorms March 17-18

There were 6 tornado, 3 hail, and 12 wind reports during the severe storms that occurred on March 17-18 (Figure 10). Three confirmed tornadoes occurred in Kentucky (2-EF1, 1 EF-0) and an EF-1 tornado occurred in Indiana. There were many reports of downed trees and powerlines. One hail report in Ripley, Missouri confirmed 1-inch diameter hail. Marshall, Jefferson, and Graves Counties in Kentucky recorded wind gusts between 60-70 mph.

Drought Monitor Update

Drought conditions showed some improvement in southwest Iowa, western Missouri, and northeast Wisconsin this week (Figure 11). A large majority of the Moderate Drought (D1) in northern Wisconsin was downgraded to Abnormally Dry (D0). The D0 was removed in southwestern Iowa and western Missouri.