Tracking Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Southern U.S.; Winter Storm to Impact the Northern U.S.

A storm system will shift from eastern Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley Monday with additional threats of severe thunderstorms and heavy to excessive rainfall which may bring flooding. A Flood Watch remains in effect. In the northern U.S., a storm will bring heavy snow and gusty winds over parts of the northern Rockies, northern Plains, and Upper Midwest Monday into Wednesday. Read More >

With all the crazy weather in December and warmth preceding it, it’s hard to believe that January was several degrees below average. But, after the mid-December Derecho, we plunged right into the depths of winter, and January brought several episodes of snow and cold. While the cold was generally not record-breaking, it was consistently cold for most of the month. Snow and liquid equivalent precipitation was generally below average, though a rogue lake-effect snow event brought Duluth’s snow totals just above average. Drought status remains relatively unchanged per the US Drought Monitor, and Lake Superior’s water levels are now likely to remain below average as we go into spring.

Per CPC’s forecasts, the rest of February may feature cooler temperatures and higher precipitation than normal with drought persisting (but possibly improving going into spring).