Below Normal Temperatures across the Midwest

Much of the Midwest recorded below normal temperatures this week (Figure 1). Average temperature departures ranged from 1°F to nearly 9°F below normal. Story County, in central Iowa, recorded an average temperature of 10.9°F (8.5°F below normal). Near normal average temperatures were recorded in western Minnesota and Indiana. Maximum temperature departures followed similar trends, with the most extreme departures occurring in eastern Kentucky with maximum temperatures 5-10°F below normal (Figure 2). Elsewhere throughout the region, maximum temperatures were 1-5°F below normal with isolated locations in excess of 5°F below normal. Western Minnesota actually recorded maximum temperatures that were up to 5°F above normal. There were 9 high maximum daily temperature records broken or tied this week, most observed in Minnesota (Figure 3). Below normal minimum temperatures were widespread throughout the Midwest, except for southeastern Indiana, Eastern Kentucky, and parts of southwestern Kentucky where conditions were closer to normal (Figure 4). The most extreme departures occurred in central Iowa and northern Michigan. There were 8 low minimum and 18 low maximum daily temperature records broken or tied this week (Figure 5).

Near Normal Precipitation this Week

Precipitation was close to normal across the Midwest (Figure 6). Parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, eastern Kentucky, and eastern Ohio were less than 1 inch above normal. There were several locations throughout the Midwest that did not receive any precipitation this week. Parts of central Minnesota, Wisconsin, southwest Michigan, central Indiana, and western Ohio missed out on the precipitation (Figure 7).

Isolated Locations Receive Snowfall

There were three regions receiving snowfall in the Midwest this week (Figure 8). The first region stretched from southern Minnesota, through Iowa, and ending in Missouri. Snowfall totals ranged from 1-12.9”. Much of the snowfall that fell ranged from 125-750 percent of normal (Figure 9). The next region stretched from northern Minnesota into northern Michigan, where 2 to 12.5” of snow fell. Kalkaska County, Michigan received 12.5”, which was 3.4” above normal for the week. Snowfall totals ranged from 125-300 percent of normal for this region. The final region receiving snowfall was eastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky. Lake effect precipitation in northeast Ohio was a main driver, where 12-24" of snow fell. Snowfall totals were 175-750% of normal. There were 112 daily snowfall records broken or tied this week (Figure 10).