February 2023 Climate Summary

Temperatures:

During February 2023, monthly temperatures ranged from 17.3°F at Medford, WI (COOP) to 27.9°F at Boscobel Airport, WI (ASOS). These temperatures ranged from near normal to 4°F warmer than normal. The warmest temperature was 52°F at Black River Falls, WI (RAWS) on the 8th. The coldest temperature was -25°F near Elkader, IA (COOP) on the 1st.

Precipitation:

Like December 2022 & January 2023, February 2023 was wetter-than-normal across much of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Precipitation anomalies ranged from near-normal to 2” wetter-than-normal. Precipitation totals ranged from 1.39” near Lynxville Dam 9, WI (COOP) to 3.07” near Nashua, IA (COOP). The greatest 1-day precipitation was 1.54" near Nashua, IA (COOP). This precipitation fell from 7 AM on February 26 to 7 AM on February 27. Rochester had their second wettest February. Only February 2019 was wetter with 2.97" of precipitation.

Snowfall:

Snowfall was highly variable across the Upper Mississippi River Valley during February 2023. Snowfall ranged from a trace near Nashua, IA (COOP) to 22.3” near Theilman, MN. The greatest 1-day snowfall was 13.2" at Theilman, MN (COOP). This snow fell from 7 AM on February 22 to 7 AM on February 23. This was the snowiest February day there. The previous record was 12.2" on February 24, 2019.

Below are February 2023 climate summaries for La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI

February 2023 was Warmer and Wetter than Normal in La Crosse, WII

Temperatures - 24th Warmest February

The average temperature was 26,1°F at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 2.8°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 23.3°F. This was the 24th warmest February and the warmest February since 2017 (33.3°F - 5th warmest). The warmest February occurred in 1878 when the average temperature was 36.7°F.
The average high temperature was 35.6°F. This was 3.1°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 32.5°F. This was the 22nd warmest and the warmest since 2017 (42.6°F - 2nd warmest). The warmest occurred in 1878 when the average high temperature was 44.3°F.
The average low temperature was 16.6°F. This was 2.4°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 14.2°F. This was tied for 32nd warmest with 1940. This was the warmest since 2017 (23.9°F - 7th warmest). The warmest occurred in 1878 when the average low temperature was 29.1°F.

Warmest high temperature was 48°F on February 8 and February 11.
Coldest high temperature was 8°F on February 3.
Warmest low temperature was 37°F on February 14.
Coldest low temperature was -10°F on February 3.

Precipitation - Tied for the 10th Wettest February with 1939

A total of 2.19" of precipitation fell at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 1" wetter than the 1991-2020 normal of 1.19". This was tied with 1939 for the 10th wettest February and the wettest since 2019 (3.02" - 4th wettest).
The wettest day was on February 27 when 0.87" of precipitation fell. This was the 14th wettest February day and the wettest February day since February 19, 2002, when 0.96" fell. The wettest February day was 2.05" on February 22, 1922.

Snowfall - Above Normal

A total of 11.5" of snow was measured by the official snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 1.8" snowier than the 1991-2020 normal of 9.7". This was the snowiest February since 2021 when 12.1" of snow fell.
The snowiest day was 6.5" on February 22. This was the snowiest calendar day in over 3 years (February 9, 2020 - 8.5").

Snow Depth - Below Average

The official snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport reported a snow depth of 3.6". This was 1.5" below the 1893-2023 long-term average of 5.1".
The greatest snow depth was 10" on February 24 and 25. This was the greatest snow depth since February 24, 2021 (11").

...Records...

Daily Precipitation...

February 14 - Warmest Low 37°F - Tied with 1954

...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 2023 was Warmer and Much Wetter than Normal in Rochester, MN

Temperatures - Warmer than Normal

The average temperature was 19.9°F at Rochester International Airport. This was 1.2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 18.7°F.
The average high temperature was 28.8°F. This was 2.1°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 26.7°F.
The average low temperature was 11°F. This was 0.3°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 10.7°F.

Warmest high temperature was 40°F on February 14.
Coldest high temperature was 4°F on February 3.
Warmest low temperature was 35°F on February 14.
Coldest low temperature was -16°F on February 3.

Precipitation - 2nd Wettest February

A total of 2.54" of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport. This was 1.52" wetter than the 1991-2020 normal of 1.02". This was the 2nd wettest February. Only February 2019 was wetter with 2.97" of precipitation.
After having its 3rd wettest January (2.41"), Rochester International Airport followed it up with its 2nd wettest February. It is the wettest start to a calendar year. The previous wettest start to the year through February 28 was 4.20" in 2019.
The wettest day was on February 27 when 0.72" of precipitation fell. This was tied for the 13th wettest February day with February 23, 1977 and the wettest February day since February 9, 2020, when 0.72" fell. The wettest February day was 1.12" on February 20, 2014.

Snowfall...Above Normal

A total of 13.6" of snow was measured by the official snow observer near Rochester International Airport. This was 2.9" snowier than the 1991-2020 normal of 10.7". This was the snowiest February since 2020 when 14.7" of snow fell.
The snowiest day was 4.1" on February 21.

Snow Depth...Below Average

The official snow observer near Rochester International Airport reported a snow depth of 5". This was 1" below the 1937-2023 long-term average of 6".
The greatest snow depth was 12" on February 24-26.

...Records...

Daily Precipitation...
- February 14 - Warmest Low 35°F - Previous Record 32°F with 1915 and 1918

...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 its 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.