Temperatures averaged above normal for most of the region (Figure 1). Average temperatures were as much as 10°F+ above normal in parts of Missouri. Most of the region was 4-8°F above normal, save far northern parts of the region, where temperatures averaged near normal.

Minimum temperatures averaged above normal for much of the region (Figure 2). While some areas were near to slightly above normal, other areas, particularly across southern Missouri and Kentucky, were closer to 6°F above normal.

Maximum temperatures were up to 15°F above normal across from I-55 westward (Figure 3). Even across the Ohio River Valley, maximum temperatures were generally 5-10°F above normal. Only across the far north were maximum temperatures near to slightly below normal.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was lackluster as most areas west of the Mississippi River ended the week with little to no precipitation (Figure 4). Precipitation was only near- to above normal across central Indiana and central Ohio. This was due to a front that slowed over these areas, bringing multiple rounds of heavy precipitation. One station in Bellefontaine, Ohio, with records dating back to 1894, observed 2.20 inches of precipitation on March 27, making it the third wettest day in March on record and the wettest since 1913 at that station.

There was minimal progression in drought conditions across the region this week. D0 (abnormally dry) and D1 (moderate drought) both expanded by under 5 percent (Figure 5). D2 (severe drought) improved for several areas across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. D3 (extreme drought) was erased across eastern Illinois and improved across northwestern Ohio.

Severe Weather

There were over 300 storm reports this week, with over 200 hail reports and 95 wind reports (Figure 6). The first outbreak occurred on March 26 across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The March 26 outbreak brought several brief EF0 and EF1 tornadoes across Indiana and Ohio. However, this outbreak was notable for its hail, with some reports of hail reaching 2-3 inches in diameter, nearly the size of a lemon.

Most of the wind reports came on the final day of the week, March 31, when severe weather ripped through northern Indiana and northern Ohio. A mesonet station near Cleveland, Ohio, reported a wind gust of 75 mph. Meanwhile, a brief EF1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 95 mph touched down in Defiance County, Ohio, while an EF0 touched down in Wayne County, Ohio.

Temperatures were varied across the region. Average temperatures were above normal across southwestern Missouri by 2-4°F for the week (Figure 1). Across the Upper Midwest, average temperatures for the week were as much as 6-8°F below normal. The region’s midsection from Illinois eastward into Ohio was near to slightly below normal for the week.

Minimum temperatures were mostly below normal. Departures were greatest across northern Minnesota, where minimum temperatures were over 10°F below normal (Figure 2). Across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio, minimum temperatures were generally 1-4°F below normal.

Maximum temperatures were above normal for many locations south of I-80 (Figure 3). More specifically, maximum temperatures averaged up to 10°F above normal for the week across parts of western Missouri. North of I-80, maximum temperatures were below normal by 3-6°F, though parts of northern Michigan were up to 10°F below normal.

Record High Temperatures on March 21

A warm front lifting across the Midwest on March 21 resulted in some of the warmest March temperatures on record. There were over 200 record high maximum temperature records set across the Midwest this week (Figure 4). Much of the region saw temperatures in the 70s, already pushing 20-30°F above normal at many observing locations. However, the most anomalous heat was west of the Mississippi River, where temperatures rose well into the 90s. Sioux City, Iowa, recorded a temperature of 95°F, which was 45°F above normal and the warmest temperature recorded in March in Sioux City since records began in 1889. In Kansas City, Missouri, the temperature rose to 93°F, which was 35°F above normal and the warmest temperature ever observed in March in Kansas City since records began in 1888. In Des Moines, Iowa, a maximum temperature of 91°F tied the previous all-time maximum temperature record for March. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a temperature of 89°F was 40°F above normal and the warmest temperature recorded in March since records began there in 1893.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was most heavily concentrated across the Upper Midwest, particularly Wisconsin and Michigan, where it was over 500 percent of normal in spots (Figure 5). Across western Missouri, precipitation was near zero to 10 percent of normal. The area from Missouri eastward into Ohio received nearly 50 percent of normal precipitation. Across the Upper Midwest, precipitation largely fell as snow, with up to 40 inches of snow in snowbelt locations along Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Figure 6). In Marquette, Michigan, 21.7 inches of snow fell, making it the second-largest single-day snowfall in March since records began in 1961.

Drought conditions diminished across the region from March 10 to March 17 (Figure 7). D0 conditions (abnormally dry) now cover less than half the region, down from over 60 percent just one week prior. D1 (moderate drought) decreased by over 6 percent, mostly over Illinois and Missouri, while D2 (severe drought) decreased by over 2 percent across central Illinois.

March 15 Tornadoes

A severe weather outbreak on March 15 spawned several EF0 and EF1 tornadoes across Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri. The tornado with the longest path was an EF1 just southwest of Louisville, Kentucky. This tornado spent 43.8 miles on the ground with estimated peak winds of 110 mph. Not far from Caneyville, Kentucky, the tornado struck 3 head of cattle that were killed, leaving behind nearly $7,000 in damages. The next-longest tornado was an EF1 in Illinois that spent 13.6 miles on the ground between Montgomery and Christian counties, with estimated peak winds of 98 mph.

Temperatures were above normal for the entire region (Figure 1). The greatest departures were across the Ohio Valley, with areas near Cleveland, Ohio, as much as 16-18°F above normal for the week. Anomalies were lower to the north and west, with most of the region anywhere from 6-12°F above normal.

Minimum temperatures were above normal for the entire region (Figure 2). Across the east, minimum temperatures were as much as 12-14°F above normal. Heading north and west, much of the region was 5-10°F above normal. In Indianapolis, Indiana, a minimum temperature of 64°F was observed on March 10, which was the warmest minimum temperature in March since 2012 and tied for the second warmest March minimum temperature on record.

Maximum temperatures were well above normal (Figure 3). The entire state of Ohio, southeastern Michigan, and northeastern Indiana were over 15°F above normal for the week. Many areas from St. Louis, Missouri, to Louisville, Kentucky, were 12-15°F above normal for the week. Maximum temperature departures were lower to the north and west, though still above normal by 5-10°F. Maximum temperatures were closer to normal for the week across the far north. In Chicago, temperatures remained above 60°F for five consecutive days from March 6 to March 10, the longest such stretch in March since 2012.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was abundant across the Upper Midwest, where northern Minnesota, Michigan, and northern Wisconsin all observed precipitation at least 200 percent of normal (Figure 4). Some parts of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio saw similarly anomalous precipitation. Precipitation was less than 25 percent of normal across portions of Iowa, southern Minnesota, and southern Wisconsin. Much of the precipitation was rain, though across the far northern parts of the region, precipitation largely fell as snow. Lakeshore areas of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula observed over a foot of snow (Figure 5).

From March 3 to March 10, drought conditions improved across the region (Figure 6). D0 conditions (abnormally dry) improved across Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio. D1 conditions (moderate drought) saw the largest improvements—over 8 percent—mainly across Illinois and Missouri. D2 conditions (severe drought) improved across Illinois, western Kentucky, and Missouri. D3 conditions (extreme drought) slightly improved across eastern Illinois and Indiana.

March 10th Severe Weather

Northern Indiana experienced a severe weather outbreak on March 10, producing several tornadoes. The most significant tornado was a long-track EF3 with sustained winds of 150 mph, lasting 36.4 miles on the ground. This tornado caused significant structural damage along its path and resulted in 11 injuries and 3 deaths. An EF1 tornado spent 10 miles on the ground in Jasper County, Indiana, causing damage to homes and resulting in 3 injuries. An EF1 tornado spent over 14 miles on the ground in Starke County, Indiana, with a damage survey indicating that multiple funnels may have caused damage along its path.

Temperatures were above normal for almost the entire region, save a small corner of northwestern Minnesota (Figure 1). Southernmost areas were as much as 14-16°F above normal for the week. Temperatures averaged 5-10°F above normal for much of the Midwest.

Minimum temperatures were above normal by 10-15°F across southern parts of the region (Figure 2). Much of the rest of the region was 5-10°F above normal for the week. In eastern Michigan and northwestern Minnesota, minimum temperatures were near normal.

Maximum temperatures were above normal by 10-15°F in much of Kentucky, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and southern Missouri (Figure 3). Across the region’s midsection, maximum temperatures were mainly 5-10°F above normal. In South Bend, Indiana, the temperature rose to 76°F on March 6, the earliest date on which a maximum temperature exceeded 75°F in the calendar year since 2000. In West Lafayette, Indiana, the maximum temperature rose to 81°F on March 6, which was the earliest temperature above 80°F in the calendar year since records began at that station in 1944.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was abundant this week with over 500 percent of normal precipitation along I-70 from Missouri to Ohio (Figure 4). Much of the region observed at least 200 percent of normal precipitation. Only across parts of Kentucky and the far northern tier of the region was precipitation below normal for the period. Much of the precipitation was in the form of rain, though some light to moderate snow accumulations occurred across the Upper Midwest and just north of I-70 (Figure 5).

Drought expansions were made in every category from February 24 to March 3 (Figure 6). The largest expansions were in the D0 (abnormally dry) and D1 (moderate drought) categories. In Ohio, D0 expanded to cover over 60% of the state by March 3, a nearly 40 percent increase in coverage since February 24. In Iowa, D1 grew to 43 percent coverage, up over 17 percent from February 24. Michigan was the only state where conditions remained unchanged between February 24 and March 3.

March 6 Michigan Tornado Outbreak

A severe weather outbreak spawned several tornadoes ranging in magnitude from EF0 to EF3 across southern Michigan on March 6. The strongest tornado, an EF3 with maximum winds of 160 mph, was on the ground near Union City, Michigan, for 5.2 miles and caused 12 injuries and 3 deaths. The 3 deaths occurred when the tornado lifted several manufactured homes into the air and tossed them onto the ground. Several vehicles and a 500-gallon propane tank were lifted and tossed by this tornado. An EF2 tornado with peak winds of 130 mph and a path length of 10.7 miles touched down in nearby Three Rivers, causing another 12 injuries. An EF1 tornado with peak winds of 95 mph touched down in nearby Edwardsburg, causing the death of a 12-year-old boy when it hit the home he was inside.

Temperatures averaged below normal for much of the region (Figure 1). Temperatures were most below normal across northern Minnesota, where they averaged 6-8°F below normal. Elsewhere, temperatures were only slightly below normal, generally by 1-5°F.

Minimum temperatures were 2-5°F below normal for most of the region (Figure 2). In northern Minnesota, minimum temperatures were as much as 10°F below normal. In parts of Ohio, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), and western Missouri, minimum temperatures were closer to normal.

Maximum temperatures were below normal for many locations across the Upper Midwest and east of the Mississippi River (Figure 3). Across Missouri and northwestern Iowa, maximum temperatures were 3-6°F above normal. A stretch of warm weather at the end of the week brought 70°F + temperatures to some of the region’s southern states on multiple days. In Springfield, Missouri, the month ended with 6 days with temperatures above 70°F, the third most days above 70°F for the month of February since 1888.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was minimal for much of the region, with many areas reporting no precipitation (Figure 4). Eastern areas saw the most precipitation, though it was less than 50 percent of normal. Only in northern Michigan was precipitation near to above normal for the week. Precipitation largely fell as light to moderate snowfall across eastern and northern areas. Some lakeshore locations, particularly in Michigan’s UP, received a foot or more of snow (Figure 5).

Drought persisted and even slightly expanded across certain areas from February 17 to February 24 (Figure 6). The largest expansion was made in the D1 category (moderate drought) across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. Simultaneously, conditions slightly improved across the Upper Midwest.

Temperatures averaged 10-15°F above normal for almost the entire region (Figure 1). The most anomalous location this week was southern Wisconsin, where some locations were over 16-18°F above normal for the week.

Minimum temperatures were 8-12°F above normal for most of the region (Figure 2). Across Minnesota and Wisconsin, minimum temperatures were even more anomalous, with some observing locations over 15°F above normal.

Maximum temperatures were 10-15°F above normal for much of the region (Figure 3). For much of Iowa, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin, maximum temperatures were as much as 20°F+ above normal. In Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, a station with records dating back to 1913 recorded a maximum temperature of 53°F on February 17, which is the warmest February temperature in Red Lake Falls since 1958. In the Quad Cities area, temperatures rose above 60°F for 4 consecutive days, tying for the 2nd-longest stretch of 60°F days in February since 1871.

Precipitation/Severe Weather/Drought

Precipitation was most abundant across the Upper Midwest, where some locations were as much as over 500 percent of normal (Figure 4). Another belt of above-normal precipitation occurred along I-70 from St. Louis, Missouri, to Columbus, Ohio. Precipitation was less than 50 percent of normal across northern Illinois, southeastern Iowa, and Ohio’s lakeshore. Precipitation largely fell as snow across the north, where parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula received nearly two feet of snow (Figure 5).

Significant precipitation and severe weather occurred late on February 19 as part of a strong low pressure system moving through the region. In Indianapolis, Indiana, 1 inch of rainfall was observed on February 19, making it the wettest February day since 2022. In London, Ohio, a station with records dating back to 1918 observed 1.65 inches of precipitation. The 5th wettest February day on record. The system was most notable for its severe impact, with several confirmed tornadoes across Illinois and Indiana. 6 tornadoes were confirmed across Illinois, including an EF1 near Hardinville in Crawford County that threw a mobile home off its foundation, injuring an elderly woman in the process. At least 3 tornadoes were confirmed in Indiana, one of which tore through Bloomington and damaged several structures in the process.

From February 10 to February 17, drought improved in some areas while declining in others. The largest expansions were made over Missouri and Illinois, particularly in the D1 (moderate drought) and D2 (severe drought) categories (Figure 6) Even D3 (extreme drought) expanded across eastern Illinois and now covers over 3 percent of the region. Conditions improved most across Iowa and Kentucky.

Average temperatures were above normal west of I-65 and below normal to the east (Figure 1). Across eastern Ohio, temperatures averaged up to 12°F below normal. For Illinois and Wisconsin, temperatures were generally 3-6°F above normal. West of the Mississippi River, many locations were 10°F or more above normal. The greatest departures were across northwestern Iowa and western Minnesota, where temperatures averaged 15-20°F above normal in spots.

Minimum temperatures were below normal across the Ohio Valley and above normal along and west of the Mississippi River (Figure 2). Across much of Minnesota, temperatures were 12-16°F above normal, while western Minnesota alone was 16-20°F above normal. Minimum temperatures were 8-12°F below normal across eastern Michigan and eastern Ohio.

Maximum temperatures averaged above normal west of I-65 and below normal across eastern areas (Figure 3). Maximum temperatures were most above normal across Iowa, western Missouri, and western Minnesota, where temperatures averaged as much as 20°F above normal. In Sioux City, Iowa, a temperature of 75°F was observed, tying the record for the 2nd warmest February day on record since 1889.

Precipitation/Drought

Most states observed no precipitation (Figure 4). Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), Kentucky, and parts of Missouri observed some measurable precipitation. Michigan’s UP observed some lake effect snow totaling up to 6-8 inches in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

With a lack of precipitation, drought expanded from February 3 to February 10 (Figure 5). D0 (abnormally dry conditions) increased in coverage by over 2 percent; D1 (moderate drought) increased in coverage by over 3 percent; and D2 (severe drought) increased in coverage by over 2 percent. There was no change in D3 (extreme drought) across the region. Drought expanded over Illinois and Missouri.

Average temperatures were most below normal across Ohio, where parts of the state were over 15°F below normal for the week (Figure 1). Temperatures were 10-15°F below normal across much of the Ohio River Basin, with lesser anomalies heading north and west. Temperatures were slightly above normal for the week across western Iowa and western Minnesota.

Minimum temperatures averaged as much as 20-24°F below normal across Ohio (Figure 2). Eastern Michigan, Indiana, southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, and Kentucky were at least 8-12°F below normal for the week. Minimum temperatures were near normal across much of Minnesota and Iowa, though some parts of western Iowa were 4-8°F above normal. Fort Wayne observed a minimum temperature of -9°F on February 1, the coldest February temperature in Fort Wayne since 2014. In Portsmouth, Ohio, a station observed two consecutive days of temperatures dropping to -2°F, February 5-6, marking the coldest consecutive minimum temperatures there since 2015.

Maximum temperatures were below normal to the south and east, and near or above normal across to the north and west (Figure 3). Temperatures were 10-15°F below normal across most of Kentucky and Ohio, while temperatures were 5-10°F below normal for most of Indiana. Temperatures were near normal for most of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). They were 3-6°F normal for western Minnesota and western Iowa, with slightly higher anomalies in western Iowa.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was lackluster, with little to no precipitation observed anywhere south of I-80 (Figure 4). There was some light snow over eastern Indiana, western Ohio, and the Kentucky Coalfields, but it was still less than 50 percent of normal precipitation for the period. Precipitation was below normal across most of the Upper Midwest, except for a small portion of northwestern Minnesota, where it was near normal.

With minimal precipitation, drought slightly worsened across the region this week (Figure 5).

Temperatures were very cold for the final week of the month. Average temperatures were generally 15°F below normal (Figure 1).

Minimum temperatures were generally at least 15°F below normal for much of the region (Figure 2). Some parts of the region were over 20°F below normal, while other areas—like southern Kentucky—were 10-12°F below normal. In Springfield, Missouri, temperatures dropped to -11°F on January 26, making it the coldest temperature in January in Springfield since 2014. Similarly, in Cleveland, Ohio, temperatures dropped to -10°F on January 30, making it the coldest January temperature since 2014.

Maximum temperatures were roughly 15°F below normal for a large swath of the region (Figure 3). Isolated areas, like western Iowa, were slightly less anomalous at roughly 10°F below normal.

Wind Chill Temperatures

Cold air and wind combined to make it feel significantly colder than the air temperature. For many locations, these were the coldest wind chills in over five years. Chicago, Illinois, saw wind chills as low as -36°F on January 23, the coldest since 2019. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, wind chills bottomed out at -47°F below on January 23, also the lowest since 2019. Madison, Wisconsin, observed a wind chill of -41°F on January 23, also the lowest since 2019.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was most plentiful south of I-70. In much of Kentucky, precipitation was 150 to 200 percent of normal (Figure 4). Totals dropped off heading north, with only 50 to 75 percent of normal precipitation for the week across Missouri, central Illinois, and northern Indiana. Across much of the Upper Midwest, precipitation was nearly nonexistent. The exception was Michigan, where snowbelt locations received near to above normal precipitation in the form of lake effect snow.

The January 27 U.S. Drought Monitor saw little changes from the prior week. D3 (extreme drought) and D2 (severe drought) remained unchanged (Figure 5). Slight improvements in D0 (abnormally dry) and D1 (moderate drought) were made across southern Kentucky.

January 24-26 Snowstorm

A large swath of the country—from the Great Plains to the Northeast—observed accumulating snowfall from January 24-26. The storm was noteworthy for the extent of the country affected. It took a more southerly track, bringing significant snowfall to the southern Midwest. Over a foot of snow fell in parts of southern Indiana and Ohio (Figure 6). In Columbus, Indiana, a station with records dating back to 1893 recorded 8.6 inches of snowfall, the 4th-largest January single-day snowfall on record and the largest since 1996. Significant ice accumulation occurred in Kentucky, where much of the state received 0.5 to 0.75 inches of ice. As temperatures fell well below freezing following the storm, frozen soils triggered frost quakes across parts of Kentucky.

Temperatures were generally 5-10°F below normal for the period (Figure 1). Departures were most pronounced over Kentucky, southern Missouri, eastern Ohio, and southern Wisconsin, though the entire region was below normal for the week.

Minimum temperatures were slightly more anomalous. Across southern Missouri, Kentucky, and northeastern Ohio, minimum temperatures averaged up to 12°F below normal (Figure 2). For most of the region, minimum temperatures were 5-10°F below normal.

Maximum temperatures remained generally 3-6°F below normal for most of the region (Figure 3). Departures were slightly less pronounced west of the Mississippi River.

Precipitation

Precipitation was scant this week. In Illinois, Indiana, western Kentucky, western Ohio, Iowa, and Missouri, there were vast areas with only 0-25 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 4). Precipitation was most plentiful across the far north, particularly along Lake Superior in Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and the west coast of Michigan. Across much of the region, any precipitation that did fall was observed as snowfall, with roughly two feet of lake effect snow along the coastlines of Michigan and Wisconsin (Figure 5).

With little in the way of major precipitation, drought remained largely unchanged. There were minor degradations made across all categories from January 13 to January 20 (Figure 6). There was a slight improvement in D0 (abnormally dry) for the Upper Midwest, but this was offset by increasingly dry conditions across the southern parts of the region.

Temperature

The second week of the year brought abnormally warm temperatures to the region. Temperature departures ranged from 8-10°F above normal across the Kentucky Coalfields to nearly 20°F above normal across northern Minnesota (Figure 1). Most of the region was 10-15°F above normal for the week.

Minimum temperatures were most above normal across northern Minnesota, where isolated spots were over 20°F above normal (Figure 2). Elsewhere, minimum temperatures were generally 15-20°F above normal. Across the southernmost locations, minimum temperatures were 5-10°F above normal. In Milan, Minnesota, a station with records dating back to 1893 recorded a minimum temperature of 37 on January 13, which was the warmest minimum temperature in January on record at that station.

Maximum temperatures were generally 10-15°F above normal east of the Mississippi River (Figure 3). West of the Mississippi River, maximum temperatures averaged 15-20°F above normal. In Madison, Wisconsin, the temperature rose above 55°F for two consecutive days, January 8-9, for the first time in January since records began there in 1869.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was below normal across much of the Ohio River Valley (Figure 4). Indiana, Kentucky, southern Missouri, southern Illinois, and Ohio largely observed 25-75 percent of normal precipitation. Meanwhile, precipitation was significantly above normal across Iowa, northern Missouri, northern Michigan, and Wisconsin during the week. In parts of Iowa and Wisconsin, precipitation was over 500 percent of normal. Much of the precipitation fell as rain, with temperatures hovering above freezing throughout the week. Lake effect snow was observed across typical snowbelt locations in Michigan, with areas near Marquette observing nearly 20 inches for the week (Figure 5).

Significant rainfall, especially for January, was reported across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, a station with records dating back to 1893 observed 2 inches of precipitation on January 9, making it the wettest January day on record at that station. Across the Mississippi River in Guttenberg, Iowa, a station with records dating back to 1937 observed 2 inches of precipitation, making it the wettest January day on record at that station. The Kickapoo River in southwestern Wisconsin rose to minor flood stage at several gauges.

Significant improvements were made in drought conditions between January 6 and January 13. D0 conditions (abnormally dry) decreased from 71 percent coverage to 62 percent coverage, and D1 (moderate drought) decreased from 36 percent coverage to 28 percent coverage (Figure 6). Despite improvement in some categories, D3 (extreme drought) remained unchanged this week.

Temperature

Average temperatures were near to slightly below normal across the east and significantly above normal to the west (Figure 1). Many locations west of the Mississippi River were at least 10°F above normal for the week. Only in eastern Ohio and eastern Michigan were temperatures below normal by 1-3°F.

Minimum temperatures were well above normal west of the Mississippi River (Figure 2). They were up to 6°f below normal across eastern Ohio. Much of the region’s midsection was 5-10°F above normal.

Maximum temperatures were above normal to the south and west by 10-15°F (Figure 3). Some parts of southwest and western Missouri were roughly 15°F above normal for the week. Maximum temperatures were near to slightly below normal across Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In Des Moines, the temperature rose to 60°F on January 7 for the first time in January since 2012.

Precipitation/Drought

There was virtually no precipitation for locations outside the Upper Midwest (Figure 4). Precipitation was near to above normal across northern sections of Wisconsin and Michigan. There was little snow this week, and much of the precipitation fell as rain, even across the Upper Midwest. However, some significant accumulating snow did fall across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Figure 5). particularly near Sault Ste. Marie, which accumulated 20 inches of snow from January 1-7. This was the 5th snowiest start to January on record since 1888, and the snowiest first week of the year since 2000.

With dry weather, drought conditions expanded as of January 6. D0 (abnormally dry) expanded along the Ohio River and west of the Mississippi River in Iowa and Missouri. D1 (moderate drought) and D2 (severe drought) expanded across Central Illinois and Central Indiana (Figure 6). Even D3 (extreme drought) expanded slightly in eastern Illinois and Central Indiana.

Temperature

Average temperatures were significantly above normal for much of the region (Figure 1). In parts of southern Missouri, temperatures averaged over 15°F above normal for the final week of the year. Much of the region was at least 5-10°F above normal. Anomalies were less pronounced heading north, where temperatures averaged near to slightly above normal across the Canadian borderlands.

Minimum temperatures were most above normal across the south and west (Figure 2). Across western Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky, minimum temperatures were 10-15°F above normal. Elsewhere, minimum temperatures were generally 5-10°F above normal.

Maximum temperatures were over 20°F above normal across southern Missouri (Figure 3). Across western Iowa, northern and eastern Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, maximum temperatures were 10-15°F above normal. Departures were less pronounced across the Upper Midwest, where they were near normal to up to 5°F above normal. Springfield, Missouri observed 6 days of temperatures above 70°F, a record for the longest stretch of consecutive 70°F+ days in December in Springfield since records began in 1888. It was also the second most 70°F+ days in Springfield in December, with six total days, tying December of 2021 and just behind the eight 70°F days in December of 1889.

Precipitation/Snowfall/Drought

Precipitation was abundant across the Upper Midwest, where northern Wisconsin and Michigan observed 200-300 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 4). This contrasts with southern Missouri, where no precipitation was observed. Many places in the Ohio River Basin observed roughly 50 percent of normal precipitation. Some of the precipitation was wintry, though the heaviest totals were across the Upper Midwest (Figure 5). A strong low-pressure system that came through December 28-30 brought up to two feet of snow to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). The same storm system brought wind gusts near 60 mph around Lake Erie, which pushed the water so far eastward that the western edge of the lakebed along Michigan’s coast was exposed, revealing remnants of old piers from the 1800s.

Drought changes were minimal this week. Slight improvements were made across the D2 (severe drought) and D3 (extreme drought) categories (Figure 6). Slight degradations were made across the D0 (abnormally dry) and D1 (severe drought) categories.

Temperatures were below normal to the east and above normal to the west (Figure 1). Across Missouri, western Iowa, and southwestern Minnesota, temperatures averaged up to 5°F above normal. Across much of the rest of the region, temperatures were near to slightly below normal by 1-4°F.

Minimum temperatures were below normal for the entire region (Figure 2). Minimum temperatures were most below normal across Minnesota’s Arrowhead region, eastern Indiana, and much of Ohio. In those locations, they were over 10°F below normal for the week. Most of the region was 5-10°F below normal. Record low temperatures started the week in places like Terre Haute, where minimum temperatures bottomed out at or below -10°F for two consecutive days, December 14-15, which has only happened twice before in December since records began in 1875.

Meanwhile, maximum temperatures were mostly above normal (Figure 3). Areas west of the Mississippi River were nearly 10°F above normal for the week, and some spots, like Kansas City, Missouri, were over 10°F above normal for the week. Much of the rest of the region was slightly above normal, save Ohio and parts of Michigan, which were near normal. In International Falls, Minnesota, the mercury hit 50°F on December 16, which was only the 6th time temperatures rose to 50°F in December since records began there in 1895.

Precipitation & Drought

Precipitation was generally below normal (Figure 4). Many places received less than 50 percent of normal precipitation, particularly along and west of the Mississippi River. Only in some of Minnesota’s northernmost locations and central Kentucky through Central Ohio was precipitation near normal. While much of the precipitation this week fell as rain, it fell as snow across the Upper Midwest. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) observed nearly one foot of snow this week (Figure 5).

Drought remained largely unchanged over the prior week. There were minor expansions of D0 conditions (abnormally dry) across the region (Figure 6). Other categories remained largely unchanged.

Average temperatures were mostly below normal across the northern half of the region (Figure 1). Much of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and northeastern Ohio were at least 10°F below normal for the week. Meanwhile, the gradient in departure from normals dropped off steeply heading south and west, with much of Missouri less than 5°F below normal for the week.

Minimum temperatures were below normal across the northern tier of the region by at least 10°F (Figure 2). Some remote areas of northern Minnesota were over 15°F below normal. Much of the rest of the region was 5-10°F below normal, with near-normal minimum temperatures in southwestern Missouri.

Maximum temperatures were roughly 10°F below normal in a belt of the region that stretched from Minnesota down through Illinois and Indiana and into southern Ohio and Kentucky (Figure 3). In southwestern Missouri, maximum temperatures were the least below normal, coming in at 1-3°F below normal. On December 14, temperatures struggled to rise above the single digits in many locations. In Dayton, Ohio, the maximum temperature on December 14 was 10°F, the coldest daily high temperature in Dayton in December since 2004.

Precipitation/Snow/Drought

Precipitation was below normal for most of the region. In Missouri, there was nearly no precipitation anywhere in the state (Figure 4). For much of the rest of the region, precipitation was somewhere under 75 percent of normal. Across the Upper Midwest, precipitation was near normal, except in Minnesota, where much of the state was over 200 percent of normal.

There were several snow events this week. Snow fell across the Upper Midwest snowbelt; however, two separate snow events took southerly tracks across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, and Kentucky. Totals for the week climbed over a half foot for portions of Iowa, Central Illinois, and Central Indiana (Figure 5). As of December 14, Indianapolis had received 11.2 inches of snowfall, making it the 2nd snowiest start to the month behind 1977.

Drought remained largely unchanged from December 2 to December 9. There were minor degradations made across all present categories (Figure 6).

Temperatures

Average temperatures were at least 10°F above normal across most of the region (Figure 1). Temperatures were more than 10°F below normal across the region, except in southwest Missouri, northern Michigan, eastern Kentucky, and southern Ohio. In Waterloo, Iowa, the mean temperature for the week was 14.4°F, which ranks as Waterloo’s 9th coldest start to December, and the coldest start since 2005.

Minimum temperatures were also below normal by over 10°F for much of the region (Figure 2). Southern parts of the region were 5-10°F below normal. In Fort Wayne, Indiana, minimum temperatures dropped below 5°F for two consecutive days, December 4-5, which hasn’t happened in the first week of December since 2007. In Des Moines, Iowa, a minimum temperature of -3°F on December 4 was the earliest temperature below zero degrees in December since 1985.

Maximum temperatures were generally 10°F+ below normal across the region (Figure 3).

Precipitation/Drought

Most of the region observed less than 50 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 4). Precipitation was only slightly above normal across northern Iowa and the west coast of Michigan. Courtesy of sustained below-normal temperatures, most of the precipitation that fell was in the form of snow. The highest totals this week were across Michigan’s UP, western Michigan, northern Illinois, and Iowa, all of which observed at least 5 inches of snow (Figure 5). Elsewhere, accumulations were less than 5 inches.

There were slight improvements in drought across all categories, save D0 (abnormally dry), which increased slightly (Figure 6). Some D2 (severe drought) was removed from Illinois, and slight improvements were made in the D1 category (moderate drought) across Missouri.

Temperature

Average temperatures were slightly below normal for Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and southern Michigan (Figure 1). Average temperatures were up to 5°F above normal across northern Minnesota. Elsewhere, temperatures were near normal.

Minimum temperatures were generally 4-8°F above normal in a belt that stretched across most of the Upper Midwest, save southern Michigan (Figure 2). Another belt of above-normal minimum temperatures was observed over the far southern reaches of the region, stretching from the Kansas/Missouri border to the Kentucky Coalfields. Minimum temperatures were slightly below normal across eastern Indiana and western Ohio.

Maximum temperatures were mostly below normal across the board. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Kentucky observed maximum temperatures upwards of 4-6°F below normal (Figure 3). Elsewhere, maximum temperatures were generally near normal.

Precipitation/Drought

The pattern turned more active toward the end of the month. Normal-to-above-normal precipitation was observed over most of the region (Figure 4). In parts of the Upper Midwest, precipitation was over 400 percent of normal. Kentucky, southern Missouri, central Indiana, and Ohio observed below-normal precipitation.

Drought conditions improved slightly. Moderate drought (D1) decreased from 39 percent to 35 percent coverage across the region (Figure 5). Severe drought (D2) decreased from nearly 13 percent of the region to just under 10 percent of the region. Extreme drought (D3) remained the same. The largest improvements were made in Michigan and Missouri.

Thanksgiving Weekend Snowstorm

A low-pressure system traversed the middle of the region from west to east starting November 28 and lasting through November 30. The highest totals were found along I-80 and throughout the Upper Midwest. Isolated areas received over one foot of snow (Figure 6). Iowa State Patrol responded to over 100 car crashes during the weekend. Chicago, Illinois, observed its largest single-day snowfall in November on record with 8.4 inches on November 29. Madison, Wisconsin, observed 9.3 inches of snowfall on November 29, which was also the largest single-day November snowfall on record there. Waterloo, Iowa, observed 14.5 inches from November 28-30, which was the snowiest 3-day period in November on record in Waterloo. Just outside Terre Haute, Indiana, there was a 45-car pileup on I-70 westbound.

Temperatures were as much as 10-14°F above normal in southern Missouri and southern Kentucky (Figure 1). Much of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota were 5-10°F below normal. Eastern Ohio and much of Michigan were near normal for the week.

Minimum temperatures were most above normal across Missouri, western Kentucky, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa, where they were over 10°F above normal for the week (Figure 2). The rest of the region was generally 5-10°F above normal. Minimum temperatures were slightly below normal across northeastern Wisconsin, Michigan, and the Greater Cleveland area. In Rockford, Illinois, the maximum temperature rose to 70°F on November 15, which was the latest 70°F+ temperature in Rockford during the calendar year since 2016.

Maximum temperatures were similarly over 10°F above normal across southern Missouri (Figure 3). The rest of the region observed maximum temperatures generally 4-8°F above normal, except Michigan and Ohio, where they were near normal.

Precipitation and Drought

Across the Upper Midwest, precipitation was generally less than 25 percent of normal (Figure 4). However, across southern Wisconsin, it rose to at least 50 percent normal, and across southern Minnesota, precipitation was above normal. Much of the I-80 corridor was below normal. A belt of above-normal precipitation stretched across the southern third of the region, from Missouri through the Ohio River Valley. Much of the precipitation was liquid this week, as accumulating snow was limited to minor snowfall across Wisconsin and Michigan (Figure 5).

Drought increased across all categories from November 11 to November 18 (Figure 6). The largest increase was in the abnormally dry (D0) category, which increased from 63 percent to 68 percent of the region, most of which occurred over Minnesota and Wisconsin. Elsewhere, drought conditions mainly persisted, with a 4 percent increase in moderate drought (D1), mostly across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Average temperatures were below normal by 2-4°F across the east (Figure 1). Many places along and west of the Mississippi River were near normal this week, though average temperatures came in 2-4°F above normal across western Minnesota.

Minimum temperatures were below normal for much of the region by 2-4°F (Figure 2). Across western Minnesota, temperatures trended near to slightly above normal.

Maximum temperatures averaged above normal by 3-5°F for many places west of the Mississippi River (Figure 3). Meanwhile, much of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio were below normal. Across northern Ohio, maximum temperatures were as much 6-8°F below normal for the week. The region experienced a cool-down early in the period. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, a maximum temperature of 35°F on November 10 was the coldest November maximum temperature since 2019. By the end of the week, temperatures rebounded dramatically. In Sioux City, Iowa, the maximum temperature rose to 76°F on November 14, the latest date a temperature above 75°F has occurred in the calendar year since records began in 1889.

Precipitation/First Snow/Drought

The week was mostly dry across the region. Much of the west—excluding Iowa—observed no precipitation (Figure 4). The heaviest precipitation fell along the I-80 corridor. The Greater Chicago area, northern Indiana, and northern Ohio observed the greatest precipitation, with those areas near 100 percent of normal. Precipitation was 50-75 percent of normal across much of the Ohio Valley.

Most of the precipitation fell as snow. This was the first measurable snowfall for many observing locations across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. Some parts of northern Indiana, southwestern Michigan, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) observed over a foot of snow (Figure 5). On November 10, Chicago O’Hare International Airport observed 1.7 inches of snow, nearly a month ahead of the typical first inch of snow for that location. Thundersnow was reported along Lake Michigan early on November 10. At least one inch of snow was reported as far south as Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.

Changes in drought conditions were minimal as of the November 11 update (Figure 6). Extreme drought (D3) slightly increased in eastern Illinois. Severe drought (D2) decreased somewhat, and moderate drought (D1) increased slightly. Abnormally dry (D0) had the largest change, though it was still a minor 1.49 percent decrease in dry conditions, mainly across Ohio.

Average temperatures were above normal by 2-4°F to the west (Figure 1). Across the east, specifically in the Ohio River Basin and Kentucky Coalfields, conditions were near normal.

Average minimum temperatures were slightly below normal by 2-4°F across southern and eastern parts of the region (Figure 2). Meanwhile, across Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan, minimum temperatures were slightly above normal by 2-4°F.

Maximum temperatures were above normal for almost the entire region (Figure 3). Across the west, maximum temperatures were as much as 8°F above normal for the week. Heading east and into Kentucky, maximum temperatures were just slightly above normal by 2-4°F.

Precipitation

Precipitation was lacking, with most of the region picking up little to no precipitation (Figure 4). Precipitation was less than 25 percent of the 1991-2020 normal for most of the region. Precipitation was near or slightly above normal for northern Michigan. There was minor snowfall of under 1 inch across Minnesota’s Arrowhead region and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Figure 5).

Drought has persisted across the region, although there have been slight improvements in specific categories. D0 (abnormally dry) declined by 3 percent, mainly across the south (Figure 6). Improvements were made across Wisconsin, where much of D1 (moderate drought) was removed. However, D1 was expanded across portions of northern Ohio and southern Illinois. D3 (extreme drought) was removed from Missouri.