Monthly Overview - January 2020

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Wetter Than Normal

Moderate to heavy precipitation fell across most of the Midwest in January (Figure 1).  Total regional precipitation was 2.80 inches which was 1.03 inches above normal.  Only scattered areas of Minnesota, western Wisconsin, Michigan and Kentucky received below-normal precipitation, which areas in Missouri, southern Illinois and southeastern Lower Michigan had more than twice the normal amount (Figure 2)  Statewide, Missouri ranked among the 15 wettest January’s on record (1895-2020).  Storms continually tracked through Missouri and the Ohio River Valley throughout the month. More than 600 daily precipitation records were broken across the region in January (Figure 3), with many in the Ohio River Valley.
 

Mild to Warm

Temperatures were mild in a warmer than normal January across Midwest (Figure 4).   Regional temperature was 27.6°F which was 5.5°F above normal.  This ranked as the ninth warmest January on record (1895-2020, 126 years).  Extreme warmth during the first two weeks of January (Figure 5) gave way to one cold week from January 15-21 (Figure 6).  Warmer than normal temperatures returned for the final ten days of the month, however (Figure 7).  More than 550 daily high maximum and minimum records were broken across the region during January (Figure 8).
 

Snowy for Many

Snowfall amounts were above normal across Iowa, northern Missouri, northern Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin in January (Figure 9).  Most of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin had more than 10 inches of snowfall, with amounts over 24 inches in the U.P. of Michigan.    Most of Kentucky had no snowfall during the month.  Two major snowfall events impacted the region from January 17-18 (Figure 10) and from January 22-25 (Figure 11).  The first of these events largely impacted the Upper Midwest, while the second impacted northern Missouri, eastern Iowa, Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan.  Very little snow fell in the Ohio River Valley in January, however.  Most of the Ohio River Valley averages 2-6 inches of snowfall during the month (Figure 12).  Several of the cities that did not receive measurable snowfall in January included Evansville, IN, Lexington, KY and Paducah, KY. In total, more than 200 daily snowfall records were broken across the Midwest (Figure 13).
 

January 10-11 Severe Weather

A severe weather event on January 10-11 that largely impacted the south brought strong winds and tornadoes to southern Missouri, southern Illinois and Kentucky along the northern end of the storm system (Figure 14).  Several verified EF-1 tornadoes were reported in Missouri and Kentucky, leading to damage of trees and outbuildings.  Strong thunderstorm winds also impacted Kentucky on January 11.  No injuries were reported in the Midwest region, but many injuries and several fatalities were reported in southern states.
 

Southern Midwest Flooding

Flooding impacted Missouri and the Ohio River Valley after heavy rain fell on January 10-11 (Figure 15).  Minor to moderate flooding was reported along the Missouri River, Mississippi River, Wabash River, Ohio River and other tributaries.  Soils were saturated in the Midwest entering winter, and remained well above average across most of the Midwest (Figure 16), increasing the chances of flooding from heavy rain.
 

-BJP-