Below Normal Temperatures Continue

For the second consecutive month, below-normal temperatures dominated the Midwest (Figure 1). The average temperature for the region was 23.1°F, which was 3.3°F below the 1991-2020 normal. Cooler-than-normal temperatures were felt in all states except Kentucky (0.3°F above normal). Below normal departures ranged from 0.1°F in Ohio to 7.9°F in Minnesota. The February Midwest minimum temperature averaged 4.9°F below normal (Figure 2) and the maximum temperature was 1.7°F below normal (Figure 3). There were 59 daily low minimum and 120 daily low maximum temperature records broken or tied during February (Figure 4).

Above Normal Precipitation for Most in the Midwest, 5th Driest February for Iowa

February was wetter than normal for much of the Midwest, with sharp regional differences (Figure 5). Average Midwest precipitation was 2.42 inches, which was 0.58 inches above normal, or 132 percent of normal. February data indicates Ohio had the 6th wettest February on record while Iowa tied for the 5th driest (Figure 6). A persistent atmospheric pattern brought frequent storms across the lower Midwest and extreme upper Midwest, with a lack of precipitation in between (Figure 7). A large swath from southern Missouri through the Ohio River Valley received up to 300 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 8). There were 478 daily precipitation records broken or tied during February 2022, most occurring in the Ohio River Valley (Figure 9). Rockville, Indiana, measured 10.01 inches, making it the wettest February in 123 years. In contrast, northwest Missouri to central Wisconsin saw less than 50 percent of normal precipitation.

Precipitation, Ice Jams, and Frozen Ground Leads to Flooding

Above-normal precipitation, frozen and saturated soils, and melting snow led to action stage and minor flooding on the Wabash and Ohio Rivers during the second half of February, which was typical for that time of year. Rapid temperature swings and heavy precipitation led to ice jam flooding on the Vermillion River in northeast Ohio, resulting in multiple swift-water rescues and road closures.

296 Stations Had Daily Record Snowfall Totals in February

A significant winter storm affected the lower Midwest February 3-4, bringing 6-15 inches of snow across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, in addition to ice and sleet accumulations. For many, this was the first significant snowstorm of the winter season, and with it came widespread school closures, delayed flights, and roadway closures. In central Illinois, traffic accidents shut down parts of Interstates 39, 74, 55, and 57. February snowfall totals ranged from 5-30 inches from Missouri to northwest Ohio and across upper Minnesota (Figure 10), putting these locations at 200-300 percent of normal snowfall for the month (Figure 11). Snowfall across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was near normal, ranging from 20-80 inches. Iowa, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, and Kentucky snowfall ranged from 0.01-5 inches, which was 10-50 percent of normal. Regionwide, 296 daily high snowfall records occurred in February (Figure 12).

Northwestern Midwest Drought Persists

Moderate to severe drought and abnormal dryness affected 45 percent of the Midwest, confined to the northwest portion of the region (Figure 13). The lower Midwest remained free of drought in February. Over the previous month, drought expanded in Iowa, Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and western Michigan. Conditions improved slightly in Missouri and Minnesota, although areas of drought and abnormal dryness were still present.