February 2022 Climate Summary

Upper Mississippi River Valley Climate Summary for February 2022

Temperatures:

During February 2022, average temperatures in the Upper Mississippi River Valley ranged from 3°F to 6°F colder than normal. The average temperatures ranged from 11.5°F at Medford, WI (AWOS) to 20.9°F Boscobel, WI (ASOS). February average temperatures typically range from 15°F to 25°F.
The warmest temperature was 54°F at Boscobel Airport (ASOS) on February 20; Decorah Municipal Airport (AWOS) on February 5; Guttenberg Lock & Dam 10, IA (COOP) on February 21; and Oelwein, IA (COOP) on February 21. Meanwhile, the coldest temperature was -19°F at Black River Falls, WI (RAWS); Preston, MN on February 4; and at Medford Taylor County Airport (AWOS) on February 18.
There were 2 Wind Chill Advisories during the month. The coldest wind chill at La Crosse, WI was -24°F at 5:53 AM on February 3. Meanwhile, the coldest wind chill at Rochester, MN was -26°F between 6 and 8 AM on February 3.

Precipitation:

Like January, February was drier than normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Precipitation departures were up to 0.5" drier than normal north of Interstate 94 and ranged from 0.5 to 1.5" across the remainder of the area. Precipitation totals ranged from 0.07" at Grand Meadow, MN (COOP) to 0.97" near Medford, WI (CoCoRaHS observer). February precipitation typically ranges from 0.8 to 1.6".
The greatest 1-day precipitation total was 0.5" at Lynxville Dam 9, WI (COOP) from February 22 into February 23.

Snowfall:

February 2022 snowfall was up to 10 inches below normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Snow totals ranged from 0.8" at near Mather, WI (COOP) to 14.4" at Medford, WI (COOP). Snowfall typically ranges from 7.5 to 12.5".
While snowfall averaged below normal, it did not mean that we did not see some impactful winter weather. There were 4 Winter Weather Advisories issued during the month.
The greatest 1-day snowfall was 4" at Medford, WI (COOP) from February 22 into February 23.

Below are the February climate summaries for La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI

February 2022 was Much Colder and Drier-than-Normal in La Crosse, WI

...February 2022 Highlights...

Temperatures...

The average temperature was 18.3°F at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 5°F colder than the 1991-2020 normal of 23.3°F. Last February La Crosse had an average temperature of 12.8°F (20th coldest).
The average high temperature was 29.1°F. This was 3.4°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 32.5°F.
The average low temperature was 7.5°F. This was 6.7°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 14.2°F.
The warmest temperature was 49°F on February 20.
The coldest temperature was -11°F on February 4.
The temperature fell below zero on 6 days.

Precipitation...Tied for the 19th Driest & Driest Since 1988

A total of 0.34" of precipitation fell at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 0.85" drier than 1991-2020 normal of 1.19 inches. This was tied with 1873 for the 19th driest. This was the driest February since 1988 (0.19").
The wettest days were February 22 and February 24 when 0.10" of precipitation fell.
Precipitation fell on 13 days. 7 days had measurable precipitation (0.01" or more) and 6 days had trace amounts.

Snowfall...Least since 2017

A total of 3.9" of snow was measured by the official NWS snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 5.8" below 1991-2020 normal of 9.7". This was the least amount of snow in February since 2017 (3.9").
The snowiest day was February 22 when 1.6" of snow fell.
Snow fell on 12 days. 6 days had measurable snow (0.1" or more) and 6 days had trace amounts.

Snow Depth...Least since 2018

The average snow depth was 4.5". This was 0.6" below the long-term average (1893-2022) of 5.1". This was the least since 2018 (3.1").
The greatest snow depth was 8" on February 1.
The least snow depth was 2" on February 21 and February 22.

...Records...

None.

...Looking Ahead to March...

The normal high temperature in La Crosse starts off at 38°F on March 1st and warms to 53°F by the end of the month. The normal low temperature starts off at 20°F on the 1st and warms to 32°F by the end of the month. The warmest March temperature on record is 84°F on March 29, 1986; and the coldest is -28°F on March 1, 1962.

The normal mean temperature for March is 35.8°F. La Crosse’s warmest March occurred in 2012 with an average temperature of 50.4°F, and their coldest March occurred in 1899 with an average temperature of 21.3°F.

The normal March precipitation is 2.04". The wettest March occurred in 1876 with 4.23" of precipitation and the driest occurred in 1910 with just 0.03". The wettest March day occurred on March 27, 1880, when 2.01" of precipitation fell. Normally, there is 1 day with thunderstorms.

The normal March snowfall is 7.3" (4th snowiest month). The snowiest March occurred in 1959 with 33.5" of snow and the least snow was no snow in 2010. The snowiest March day occurred on March 13, 1997, when 14.3" of snow fell.

Rochester, MN

February 2022 was Much Colder and Drier-than-Normal in Rochester, MN

...February 2022 Highlights...

Temperatures...

The average temperature was 13.9°F at Rochester International Airport. This was 4.8°F colder than the 1991-2020 normal of 18.7°F. Last February Rochester had an average temperature of 8.3°F (tied for 6th coldest with 1978).
The average high temperature was 24.2°F. This was 2.5°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 26.7°F.
The average low temperature was 3.6°F. This was 7.1°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 10.7°F.
The warmest temperature was 47°F on February 20.
The coldest temperature was -11°F on February 5.
The temperature fell below zero on 10 days.

Precipitation...Driest Since 2006

A total of 0.41" of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport. Which was 0.61" drier than 1991-2020 normal of 1.02". This was the driest February since 2006 (0.40").
The wettest day was February 22 when 0.16" of precipitation fell.
Precipitation fell on 14 days. 8 days had measurable precipitation (0.01" or more) and 6 days had trace amounts.

Snowfall...Least since 2002

A total of 6.4" of snow fell was measured by the official NWS snow observer near Rochester International Airport. This was 4.3" below 1991-2020 normal of 10.7". This was the least amount of snow in February since 2002 (3.9 inches).
The snowiest day was February 22 when 2.6" of snow fell.
Snow fell on 13 days. 8 days had measurable snow (0.1" or more) and 5 days had trace amounts.

Snow Depth...Least since 2018

The average snow depth was 3.9". This was 2.1" below the long-term average (1912-2022) of 6". This was the least since 2018 (3.8").
The greatest snow depth was 5" on February 1-7 and February 25-27.
The least snow depth was a trace on February 21 and 22.

...Records...

None.

...Looking Ahead to March...

The normal high temperature in Rochester starts off at 32°F on March 1st and warms to 48°F by the end of the month. The normal low temperature starts off at 17°F on the 1st and warms to 30°F by the end of the month. The warmest March temperature on record is 82°F on March 24, 1910; and the coldest is -31°F on March 1, 1962.
The normal mean temperature for March is 31.7°F. Rochester’s warmest March occurred in 2012 with an average temperature of 49.1°F, and their coldest March occurred in 1888 with an average temperature of 17.4°F.
The normal March precipitation is 2.02". The wettest March occurred in 1888 with 4.02" of precipitation and the driest occurred in 1910 with just a trace of precipitation. The wettest March day occurred on March 22, 2011, when 2.20" of precipitation fell. Normally, there is 1 day with thunderstorms.
The normal March snowfall is 8.6" (4th snowiest month). The snowiest March occurred in 1951 with 35.1" of snow and the least snow was no snow in 2010. The snowiest March day occurred on March 18, 2005, when 19.8" of snow fell.