November 21-30, 2001:

The period of November 21-30 began with a continuation of extreme warmth in the Midwest, but this pattern finally broke on the 24th with the advent of a stormy period accompanied by temperatures closer to normal. Almost all of the Midwest received more than 0.5 inches of precipitation, with bands from western Iowa to northern Michigan and from southeastern Missouri to Ohio receiving copious amounts (Figure 20). Southwestern Minnesota received more than 3 inches above the normal for the ten day period, while western Kentucky received more than 5 inches above normal precipitation (Figure 21). The percentage of normal precipitation in western Kentucky exceeded 300%, while in normally drier southwest Minnesota, the amounts received exceeded 700% (Figure 22). November 21-30 was very warm overall, with all areas of the Midwest north and east of Missouri having temperatures 4-12°F above normal (Figure 23). Despite the persistent warm conditions, the pattern of precipitation addressed the soil moisture needs of the drier portions of the Midwest, so large areas of abnormally dry conditions were removed from the last U.S. Drought Monitor map for the month (Figure 24, U.S. Drought Mitigation Center).