Winter 2019-2020 Climate Summary

Overview and Graphics
Seasonal Summary
Winter Season Report Cards

Overview and Graphics

Winter Seasonal Summary (December 1 through February 29): Temperatures averaged around 4 to 5 degrees above normal, ranking as the 4th warmest winter on record in Cape Girardeau, 6th warmest in Paducah, and 10th warmest in Evansville. Every month of the winter finished above normal. The warmest months compared to normal were December and January, both finishing 5 to 6 degrees above normal. February brought us some of the coldest temperatures of the winter, but we still managed to finish around 1 to 2 degrees above normal. Paducah observed 51 days with high temperatures at or above 50 degrees, which was the 3rd most for a winter season on record. The record for 50+ degree days in a winter was set back in 1949-1950 with 58 days. Paducah also only observed 3 days where the high temperature remained below 32 degrees and 14 days with sub 40 degree high temperatures. For comparison an average number for a winter season is 11 days with subfreezing high temperatures and 29 days with sub 40 degree high temperatures.

The winter season finished wetter than normal. It started out drier than normal in many areas in December, but we reverted back to the wetter pattern in January and February. Both these months finished in the top 10 wettest on record in Paducah. Although, we experienced a wet winter, nearly all of the precipitation that occurred was in the form of rain. Paducah and Evansville both finished with no measurable snow for the entire winter season (Dec-Feb). This was the first time on record Evansville recorded no snow during this 3 month period. The previous record for least snowy winter season was 0.4” set in 2016-2017. For Paducah, we tied the record of a Trace of snow also set back in the winters of 1991-1992, 1956-1957, and 1952-1953.

The graphic below is an interpolated rainfall map using actual observations. Please note that there are likely discrepancies in between observations, since the values are estimated based on nearest reports.

Winter Season 2019-2020 Review: Precipitation and Temperature Maps (Click on image to enlarge)

Climate Maps are from the Northeast Regional Climate Center

Monthly Summary Listings of normals and records for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardeau

Monthly Climate Report: Paducah | Evansville | Cape Girardeau

Winter Season Report Cards Click on image to enlarge Listing of records for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardaeu