Midwest Weekly Highlights - January 1-10, 2010

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Freezing Temperatures

Cold air was the dominant Midwest feature for the first 10 days of the year. Highs for the period averaged below freezing for the entire region (Figure 1). High temperatures ranged from single digits across most of Minnesota and Iowa to the 20s for the eastern half and southern edge of the Midwest. Low temperatures ranged from -20°F in northern Minnesota to the low teens in the eastern Midwest (Figure 2). Average temperatures were slightly above normal in upper Michigan and below to much below normal across the rest of the region (Figure 3). Temperatures were 15°F to 20°F below normal over Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and southern Minnesota. More than 400 record low temperatures were recorded with over 150 on January 3rd alone. Many cities in Minnesota reached the -30s and Orr, Minnesota (St. Louis County) hit -40°F on the 3rd
 

Precipitation

Lake-effect snows continued to drop snow along the Great Lakes in Michigan and Ohio. On January 6th a developing low pressure system in the Northern Plains took aim on the Midwest leading to winter storm watches and warnings from Iowa to Indiana and western Kentucky (Figure 4). The low moved across the heart of the Midwest on the 7th (Figure 5) bringing several inches of light fluffy snow. Winds picked up behind the storm complicating travel due to blowing snow. Many schools closed across the area due to blowing snow and very cold temperatures. Precipitation was below normal across most of the region (Figure 6). Above normal precipitation occurred along the lake shores in Michigan and Ohio due to lake-effect snows. Western Iowa, northwest Missouri, southwest Minnesota, and southwest Wisconsin also had locations record above normal precipitation. Large expanses of the northern Midwest and southeast Midwest received less than half of their normal precipitation.

Snow blanketed the Midwest (Figure 7), ranging from an inch or two in the south to as much as 30 inches in northwest Iowa. A school roof in Hinton, Iowa (Plymouth County) collapsed under the weight of heavy snow on the 7th. School was not in session and nobody was hurt. Earlier that day, a big-box store in Sioux City, Iowa (Woodbury County) also suffered a collapsed roof following the most recent snow totaling about 8 inches.
 

Ice Jammed Rivers Flood

Ice jams formed on several rivers in southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and eastern Iowa. The jams caused rapidly rising flood waters and localized flooding.

The Kankakee River went above flood stage due to an ice jam near I-55 in Wilmington, Illinois (Will County) and near Momence, Illinois (Kankakee County).

The Fox River flooded due to ice jams in both Wisconsin and Illinois (LaSalle and Kane Counties). Flood waters near New Muenster, Wisconsin (Kenosha County) were affecting highways W and 50. In Illinois, Kane County road closures in East and West Dundee and a voluntary evacuation of a subdivision were caused by flood waters. Ottawa, Millington, Wedron, and Dayton in LaSalle County Illinois were threatened throughout the week as Fox River flood waters rose as much as 10 feet above flood stage. The Red Cross opened a shelter in Dayton.

Near the Quad Cities, two rivers were flooded by ice jams. The Rock River in Moline (Rock Island County) rose several feet in just a few hours as an ice jam formed. Residents were warned of the situation but were not evacuated. Flooding was ongoing in Moline, Barstow, and Hillsdale (Rock Island, Henry and Whiteside Counties). Another ice jam caused flooding south of DeWitt, Iowa (Clinton and Scott County) on the Wapsipinicon River.
 

Flooding and Ice on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Minor flooding was reported along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers this week. Ice has also been an issue on the rivers. Some of the flooding has been caused or exacerbated by ice jams. Local ferries across the Illinois River have had to shut down due to the ice (Calhoun and Jersey Counties). River traffic has been slowed by ice build-up on barges, tows, and lock walls.
 

Air, Train, and Auto Transportation Impacted

Air travel was impacted by the storm system that moved across the Midwest on the 7th. Chicago's O'Hare Airport alone had hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled due to the weather. Roads were snow-covered or icy as the snow and blowing snow presented challenges for snow removal. Numerous accidents, including lots of vehicles in ditches, were reported across the region. Amtrak service was suspended for the 8th and 9th on two routes, Minneapolis to Seattle and Chicago to Denver, due to the weather. Trains in both directions prior to the suspension were late by 18 to 24 hours.
 

Lake-Effect Ice Storm Hits Northeast Ohio

A relatively rare occurrence of lake-effect ice struck Lake and Geauga Counties in northeast Ohio on the 6th. In a typical lake-effect snow storm, the warm lake provides heat and moisture to the cold air moving across the lake, forming snow bands or showers along the downwind shore. In this case, although the surface temperatures were well below freezing, there was a warm layer aloft that melted the snow as it fell. The melted snow fell as rain and quickly froze as it hit the frozen surface. Ice accumulations were light in most areas but a narrow band of heavier precipitation led to glazing amounts up to 3/4 of an inch.
 

Water Woes in Eastern Kentucky Due to the Weather

An emergency water line is planned to supply Buckhorn, Kentucky (Breathitt County) with drinking water from Breathitt. The community is relying on bottled water as the water treatment plant has been out of service. A snow storm on December 19th caused a power outage. Problems at the plant, and along supply lines, have continued since that time. Cold January temperatures froze up the intake pipes at the plant compounding the problems.
 

-MST-