October 18-24, 2004
Midwest Weekly Highlights - October 18-24, 2004
More Rain, Moderating Temperatures
More rain fell across the central and eastern Midwest this week as
two frontal systems moved through the region. Precipitation for the
period was more than three times normal from eastern Missouri through
southern Illinois, Indiana, northern Kentucky, and southern Ohio.
(Figure 1).
Precipitation was also three times normal in northern
Minnesota, and above normal across Wisconsin and western lower
Michigan. In contrast, an area extending from southern Minnesota
through western Missouri, and eastern lower Michigan received less than
half the normal expected rainfall..
After a cool start, temperatures moderated as south to southwest flow
developed through the region. Temperatures ranged from 6F
to 8F above normal across southern Missouri and Kentucky, to 1F to 2F
below normal across northwestern Minnesota (Figure 2).
Another area of
slightly below normal temperatures occurred over southern lower
Michigan,
northern Indiana, and northern Ohio. Early in the week a strong
frontal system stalled across southern Missouri (Figure 3,
Unisys), and
the position of the front is evident by the higher departures
from normal depicted by the yellow and light green colors in (Figure 2). In
the early afternoon of October 18, Kirksville, MO was 46F,
while Springfield,MO was 82F, a
36F difference. Springfield, MO set a new record high for the day
of 86F, which broke the old record of 84F set in 1953.
Strong Front Triggers Severe
Weather
Severe weather broke out in southern and eastern Missouri, southern
Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky on October 18 south of the stationary
front (Figure 4). Temperatures
in the 80s, dew points in the 60s, and strong winds aloft contributed to the
development of storms
producing large hail and several tornadoes. A tornado near Cooter, MO
in Pemiscot
County killed three members of one family and injured
several others when it destroyed three homes and a farm shop. Storms
also struck Williamson, Johnson,
Pope and Hardin Counties in Illinois. A F-2 tornado touched down near Lake Egypt (Johnson
County) causing several injuries and destroying some mobile homes along
its 21-mile path.. In addition to tornadoes, there were numerous
reports of large hail, with 2.50 inch hail in Patton Junction, in Bollinger
County, MO.
More Typical Fall Weather Follows
Much of the rain this week fell during the first two days
of the period, with the heaviest rain along the stationary front.
Cloudy and somewhat cool weather dominated the central Midwest as this
system slowly moved out. By October 22 strong southerly winds
developed across the region ahead of the next weather system and
afternoon temperatures pushed back into the 60s and 70s by October
23. The approaching cold front produced showers and thunderstorms
early in the morning on October 23, and a line of thunderstorms in
Illinois and Indiana late in the afternoon. By October 24 the
Midwest enjoyed sunny and pleasantly mild fall weather. The only
exception to the mild conditions was in northern Minnesota, where high
temperatures topped out in the low to mid 40s.