Heavy Snow in the Central/Southern Rockies; Below Average Temperatures in the Central and Eastern US

Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in the central/southern Rockies and adjacent High Plains today. Lake-enhanced snowfall is expected downwind of the Great Lakes today. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible this evening into tonight across the western Gulf Coast states. Temperatures across much of the central and eastern CONUS will remain below average and chilly to end the week. 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).