February 2010 Climate Summary

For a printable version of the climate summary which includes more figures, data tables, and state summaries, click here. 

Temperature Summary

February 2010 was a cold month across the High Plains Region.  Temperature departures were below normal for the entire Region except for a few locations in western Wyoming.  The majority of the Region had average temperatures which were 3˚F to 9˚F (1.7˚C to 5.0˚C) below normal.  A rather large area extending from western North Dakota into western and central South Dakota, and pockets of Colorado and Nebraska had average temperatures which were 9˚F to 12˚F (5.0˚C to 6.7˚C) below normal.  The largest temperature departures of more than 10˚F (5.6˚C) below normal occurred in western North Dakota and west central South Dakota.  

These below normal temperatures were cold enough to place many locations in the top 10 coldest Februaries on record.  This month’s cold location was Medora, North Dakota which had its fifth coldest February on record (period of record 1948-2010).  Medora recorded an average temperature of 11.3˚F (-11.5˚C) which was 11.9˚F (6.6˚C) below normal.  The coldest February on record for Medora occurred in 1949 with an average temperature of only 6.3˚F (-14.3˚C).

Precipitation Summary

Precipitation varied widely across the Region this month. Locations which received only 50 percent of normal or less included western Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and small pockets of central Kansas and western North Dakota.  Areas which received over 200 percent of normal included central Colorado, eastern South Dakota, western Nebraska, and a few pockets of northern North Dakota.  South central Colorado was this month’s wet area, with liquid equivalent precipitation totals well over 300 percent of normal.  Trinidad Perry Stokes Airport, Colorado received 1.80 inches (45.7 mm) of liquid equivalent precipitation which broke the old record of 1.27 inches (32.3 mm) set in 1990 (period of record 1948-2010).  Walsh 1 W, Colorado also set a record with 1.94 inches (49.3 mm), or 462 percent of normal precipitation.  This precipitation beat the old record of 1.62 inches (41.1 mm) received in 1987 (period of record 1940-2010).

While no snowfall records were broken this month, the snow that fell aided many locations in breaking into the top 10 snowiest winters (December, January, and February) on record (see table on page 2 of the climate summary).  This winter’s snowy location was Lincoln, Nebraska with a total winter snowfall of 38.8 inches (98.55 cm).  This total edged out the old record of 35.6 inches (90.42 cm) which was recorded in the winter of 2003-2004.

Climate Outlook

El Niño conditions persisted this month and are expected to continue into Spring 2010.  The temperature outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal temperatures for western Wyoming and below normal temperatures in Kansas, the southeast corner of Colorado, and far south central Nebraska.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures are predicted elsewhere in the Region.  The precipitation outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal precipitation for Colorado, southern Wyoming, western Kansas, and western Nebraska.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation are predicted for the remainder of the Region.  The seasonal outlooks combine the effects of long-term trends, soil moisture, and when applicable, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.  This Spring outlook is produced by scientists at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.  More information about these forecasts can be found here.

Drought Watch

All states from North Dakota south through Kansas remained drought free this month.  Categorical improvement occurred in southwest Colorado where recent precipitation has brought the snowpack up to near or above average.  However, abnormally dry (D0) and moderate drought (D1) conditions have spread further into Wyoming due to a low snow pack.  According to the United States Department of Agriculture, snowpacks of only 60 percent of normal were present in many locations.  Drought conditions in Wyoming are expected to persist through May 2010, according to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released February 18th.