February 1-7, 2025

Temperature

Temperatures were generally above normal, particularly south of I-80. Along and south of the Ohio River, temperatures averaged as much as 10-13°F above normal for the week (Figure 1). Departures were less pronounced heading north, and average temperatures were near normal for much of the Upper Midwest. In northern Minnesota, average temperatures were 3-5°F below normal for the week. In Indianapolis, Indiana, the daily mean temperature reached 54.5°F on February 3, which was the warmest temperature during the first seven days of February since 1927.

Minimum temperatures were above normal for the entire region. From I-80 southward, minimum temperatures averaged 8-12°F above normal (Figure 2). Some parts of southern Missouri were close to 15°F above normal for the entire period. Waterloo, Iowa observed a minimum temperature of 36°F on February 2, which was 25°F above normal and only the 4th time a minimum temperature that warm has occurred in February’s first seven days since 1895.

Maximum temperatures averaged as much as 15°F above normal for the week in southeastern Kentucky (Figure 3). For most of the region they were 5-10°F above normal. One single day—February 3—contributed greatly to the temperature departures for the week. Many locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio observed maximum temperatures that were in the 60s to low 70s, which was roughly 30°F above normal at most observing locations.

Precipitation

Precipitation was generally lacking for most of the region (Figure 4). Iowa and Missouri received little to no precipitation for the week. Precipitation was more fruitful heading east and north, specifically in the Kentucky Coalfields, northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Some parts of eastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio received 2 inches of rain on February 5 alone. In the Upper Midwest, precipitation fell as snow during this period.

Overall, drought didn’t change much in either direction since the final week of January (Figure 5). D0 (abnormally dry) and D1 (moderate drought) slightly increased in Iowa and Wisconsin. Conditions went largely unchanged elsewhere.