February – 7th Coldest on Record for Illinois

The statewide average temperature for February was 18.6 degrees. That is 12.3 degrees below the 1981-2010 average and the 7th coldest February on record. By comparison, February 2014 was 9th coldest at 19.5 degrees.

Here are some amazing statistics for Chicago. February was tied with 1875 for the coldest on record, according to the Chicago National Weather Service.  The average temperature for February was 14.6 degrees, 13.1 degrees below average. In addition, it was the 10th coldest month overall on record. February snowfall in Chicago was the third largest on record with 26.8 inches, 17.7 inches above average.

Snowfall for February in Illinois was widespread and well above average. Amounts of 15 to 20 inches were common in western and northern Illinois and 10 to 15 across central Illinois and parts of far southern Illinois. This was 8 to 12 inches above average in many locations. See maps below. Click to enlarge.

Some other February snowfall totals from around the state:

  • Chicago Midway AP: 28.3 inches
  • Rockford: 14.7 inches
  • Peoria: 12.8 inches
  • Quincy Lock and Dam: 11.2 inches
  • Springfield: 22.6 inches
  • Champaign-Urbana: 12.4 inches
  • Bloomington-Normal: 13.0 inches
  • Carbondale: 6.0 inches

The statewide average precipitation (rain plus the water content of snow) for February was 1.5 inches, 0.5 inches below average. Most of the state received 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, except for far southern Illinois which got 2 to 3 inches. See the second batch of maps for precipitation and precipitation departures from average.

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Quiet Winter for Snowfall across central US

Snowfall across the central US has been slightly below average so far this winter and stands in stark contrast to last winter. However, the impact on soil moisture, rivers, and streams has been minimal.

Here is an example of snowfall differences. At Chicago O’Hare airport the snowfall total for this winter through January 14 is 13.7 inches. Last year through this date it was 35.0 inches and the 1981-2010 average is 14.2 inches.

In the first map are the snowfall departures for this winter. All the areas in tan or beige are up to 10 inches below average. That includes almost all of Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky, as well as large portions of the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Areas in green are above average and include a small area in far southern Illinois and another around Moline. Snowfall is above average across upper Wisconsin and the Michigan UP.  Continue reading “Quiet Winter for Snowfall across central US”

First Snow in Illinois

Traces of snow were reported in Chicago and Rockford on October 4. A few years ago I did a post on the earliest and median dates for the first measurable snowfall of the season. Measurable means at least 0.1 inches or more.  Snow flurries or traces of snow do not count since they have not been tracked closely in the historical weather records.

No real surprises for anyone who has experienced winter in Illinois. The earliest dates of measurable snow are in the late October, early November time frame. And the median dates range from late November in northern Illinois to the second half of December in southern Illinois. Even so, the dates can vary considerably between nearby sites since many of the early season snows are sporadic and not very widespread.

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February Seventh Coldest on Record

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Flooded farm field in east-central Illinois after a period of snowmelt and rainfall in the third week of February, 2014.

Based on preliminary data, the Illinois statewide temperature for February was 18.7 degrees. That was 12.1 degrees below the long-term average and the seventh coldest February on record. No surprise there.

The statewide average temperature for the three core winter months of December, January, and February was 20.8 degrees. That was 8.2 degrees below average and the fourth coldest December-February period on record. Incidentally, it is in a 3-way tie with 1917-18 and 1976-77. The coldest winter was 1977-78 at 19.6 degrees. The winter of 1978-79 was in second place at 19.9 degrees. Overall, this winter was comparable to those in the late 1970s.

Below is the table of the ten coldest February’s on record for Illinois. It’s really hard to beat those cold February’s in the late 1970s. The 1981-2010 statewide average is 30.8 degrees.

Rank Year Avg.
1 1978 16.9
2 1979 17.5
3 1936 17.7
4 1905 17.8
5 1895 18.1
6 1899 18.5
7 2014 18.7
8 1902 19.3
9 1914 20.9
10 1958 21.4

Here are the ten coldest December-February periods in Illinois since 1895. The 1981-2010 statewide average is 29.0 degrees.

Rank Year Avg.
1 1977-1978 19.6
2 1978-1979 19.9
3 1935-1936 20.6
4 1917-1918 20.8
4 1976-1977 20.8
4 2013-2014 20.8
5 1903-1904 21.6
6 1962-1963 21.9
6 1904-1905 21.9
7 1981-1982 22.8

The snowfall for February was above average across the state. The total snowfall ranged from 4 inches in far southern Illinois to 15-20 inches in north-central Illinois. The snowfall departures from average ranged from 1-5 inches south of Interstate 70 and between 10 and 18 inches between Interstates 70 and 80.

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The statewide precipitation for February was 2.28 inches. That was just 0.17 inches above average. Precipitation includes both rain events along with the water content of any snowfall. The result in February was that the above-average snowfall did not translate to above-average precipitation because several of those snowfall events occurred in colder conditions when snow density is lower (i.e, fluffier).

By the way, here are the snowfall totals for the entire snowfall season. You may recall that we saw snow flurries back in October and some measurable snow in November. Some of largest snowfall totals this winter are in the Chicago area and include Lincolnwood with 79.8 inches and Oak Park with 78.6 inches.

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