Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Central U.S.

A broad threat of scattered severe thunderstorms and heavy showers will exist across the central and southern High Plains into Sunday, including areas well off to the east into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley. Smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue to bring unhealthy air quality conditions to portions of the Great Lakes and the central Plains. 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).