Record High Temperatures Continue

The third week of January continued to bring unseasonably warm temperatures to the Midwest. Average temperatures were at least 9°F above normal throughout the whole region (Figure 1). As a whole, Wisconsin’s average temperature this week was 29.3°F, which was 15.7°F above normal. St. Louis County, Minnesota, recorded the largest temperature deviation this week where the mean temperature (28.9°F) was 22.4°F above normal. Maximum temperatures followed the same trend as the Midwest ranged from 2-14°F above normal (Figure 2). Minimum temperatures this week had the most notable departures, as the north recorded minimum temperatures up to 25°F above normal (Figure 3). Overall, there were 62 high maximum and 291 high minimum temperature records set or tied this week in the Midwest (Figure 4).

Abundant Precipitation Throughout Midwest

Widespread above-normal precipitation was received this week, with parts of each state receiving at least 200 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 5). The only areas in the Midwest that saw below-normal precipitation this week were western Minnesota, eastern Kentucky, and eastern and northern Michigan. While the western Midwest saw the largest percent of mean precipitation, highest precipitation totals were recorded in the south (Figure 6). The highest one-day maximum precipitation (3.5 inches) actually occurred in both Jefferson County, Indiana (January 17th), and Rock Island County, Illinois (January 18th). There were 207 daily precipitation records set or tied this week (Figure 7). Resulting from this week’s precipitation, streamflow conditions increased and trended towards above normal levels, especially in Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri (Figure 8).

Northwestern Swath of Snow

Only about half of the Midwest received snowfall this week. A band of 200+ percent of normal snowfall extended from Iowa through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Figure 9). This swath brought up to 7.5 inches of snow to this area with some locally higher totals (Figure 10). Marquette County, located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, recorded the most snowfall in the Midwest this week (15.9 inches). 80 daily snowfall records were set or tied this week, all within the aforementioned swath (Figure 11). After this week’s snowfall, this season is now Twin Cities’ fourth snowiest season on record.

Severe Weather

This week, there were four tornado reports, one hail report, and 26 high wind reports in the Midwest (Figure 12). Two brief tornadoes touched down in both Linn and Iowa Counties, Iowa, in the afternoon of January 16th. These tornadoes were paired with one inch diameter hail. January 19th brought high winds to northern Ohio (and one station in southern Indiana). The highest gust recorded from this event was 63 mph in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. These high winds caused downed trees/branches, power lines, and light posts.

Drought Monitor Update

Overall, drought conditions improved very slightly from last week (Figure 13). There were one-category improvements in Ohio and Indiana and local one-category degradations in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Abnormally dry conditions expanded in Illinois and moderate drought conditions were expanded in north-central Missouri.