January 2017 in the La Crosse HSA saw above normal temperatures, much above normal precipitation and below to above normal snowfall.
An extended warm period from the 17th to the 26th produced melting of much of the snow cover and strong within bank rises on many rivers and streams. A few ice jams also occurred toward the end of this period.
Precipitation for January 2017 was above to much above normal across the entire HSA. A passing cold front brought some light rain and snow to the HSA on the 2nd into the 3rd. A strong low brought moderate to locally heavy rain and snow to much of the HSA on the 9th and 10th. Another strong, moist and warm low brought moderate rains to most of the HSA on the 16th into the 17th. The 17th to the 24th was a mild, grey and foggy period with periods of light rain and drizzle. Strong low pressure brought another round of moderate to locally heavy rain and snow to mostly the central and south parts of the HSA on the 24th and 25th. One last stronger system brought light to moderate snowfall to mainly the northeast half of the HSA on the 30th into the 31st.
January normal precipitation varies from just under an inch across the west and north ends of the HSA, to near 1.25 inches across the southeast end. Totals this month ranged from around 180 percent of normal across the far southeast end of the HSA to 200 to 250 percent of normal across the central and north parts of HSA. Most totals this month were 200 to 225 percent of normal, making this a top-ten wettest January at most locations. Extreme totals recorded for the month ranged from 1.51 inches near Richland Center in Richland Co. WI and 1.82 inches at Grand Meadow in Mower Co. MN, to 3.14 at L/D 9 near Lynxville in Crawford Co. WI and 3.32 inches at McGregor in Clayton Co. IA. Snowfall this month ranged from 3 to 8 inches across the south end of the HSA to mostly 10 to 16 inches across the north half of the HSA. This was below normal across the south end to near and above normal across the north half. Normal January snowfall ranges from around 10 inches in the southeast end of the HSA to around a foot across the west and north ends. Snow totals this month ranged from 40 to 60 percent across the far southeast end of the HSA to 90 to 130 percent of normal across the central and north sections.
January 2017 average temperatures were 17 to 24 degrees. This was 3 to 6 degrees above the normals. Temperatures were above to much above normal on the 1st and 2nd, near normal on the 3rd, then much below normal from the 4th to the 8th. Slightly above normal temperatures returned for the 9th and 10th, followed by below and much below normal readings from the 11th to the 15th. Temperatures were back above normal on the 16th, then much above normal from the 17th to 26th. La Crosse went 8 days during this period with the temperature remaining above 32 degrees, easily setting a record for the longest period of above freezing temperatures in a January. The month ended with near to above normal temperatures on the 27th to 30th, then much above normal readings on the 31st. Extremes for the month ranged from lows of mostly 5 below to 25 below on the mornings of the 6th and 8th, to highs of 35 to 45 on the 21st.
Flows in the rivers and streams of the HSA were above to much above normal during the month. With below normal temperatures much of the first 15 days, ice cover on the lakes, rivers and streams of the area was near normal at mid-month. Due to the above normal temperatures during the second half of the month and some increased flows in the rivers and streams, ice cover on most rivers and streams, along with ground frost depth were below and much below normal at the end of the month.