February 2011 Climate Summary

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

Temperature Summary

February 2011 was a month of extremes in the High Plains Region.  The lowest temperatures of the month were, for the most part, observed at the beginning of the month.  An arctic air mass settled into the Region and many daily low temperature records were set.  Dangerous wind chills were also experienced throughout the Region.  According to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the coldest wind chill in that area was -61 degrees F (-51.7 degrees C) at the Laramie Airport on February 2.  Also on that date, the Rawlins Municipal Airport, Wyoming tied for its all time lowest temperature when the temperature plummeted to -36 degrees F (-37.8 degrees C) (period of record 1951-2011).  There was a warm-up mid month and daily high temperature records were broken in parts of the Region, however cold air returned at the month’s end.

Overall, February average temperatures were 2-6 degrees F (1.1-3.3 degrees C) below normal for most of the Region including Kansas, Colorado, the eastern Dakotas, and eastern Nebraska.  Large areas of western North Dakota, central and western South Dakota, the panhandle of Nebraska, and central and eastern Wyoming had average temperatures which were more than 6 degrees F (3.3 degrees C) below normal.  Locations in Wyoming and the panhandle of Nebraska had average monthly temperatures which ranked in the top 10 coldest Februaries on record.  Sunshine 3NE, Wyoming, which is located in the northwest part of the state, had its 2nd coldest February on record with an average temperature of 15.0 degrees F (-9.4 degrees C).  The record of 11.0 degrees F (-11.7 degrees C) was recorded in 1989 (period of record 1963-2011).

Precipitation Summary

Several storm systems affected the Region this month.  Overall, South Dakota, eastern Kansas, and pockets of both Colorado and Wyoming had precipitation which was above normal.  The rest of the Region had either near to below normal precipitation.  

A strong system brought extreme cold and snow to the Region at the beginning of the month.  While many locations within the Region received snowfall, the main impacts of the storm were just east of the Region.  A large area from Kansas City through Chicago was hit particularly hard as dangerous blizzard conditions led to interstate and airport closures.  Another round of snow hit the eastern portion of the Region on February 8-9.  The heaviest snow fell in eastern Kansas where up to 16 inches (41 cm) was reported.  A mid-month warm-up allowed for much of the snow cover across the Region to melt, however the snow cover quickly built up again.  Later in the month a storm system moved through the Region bringing thunderstorms, ice, and snow.  On the 21st, thunderstorms occurred in eastern Nebraska while just to the north, ice accumulations up to a quarter inch were reported.  Meanwhile, heavy snow fell across South Dakota, where over a foot (30 cm) of snow was reported in many locations.  On February 24th another snow storm hit the Region.  Heavy snows of up to a foot (30 cm) were again reported in southwestern South Dakota and up to 5-9 inches (13-23 cm) were reported in Kansas and Nebraska.  Also, in Kansas and Nebraska, much of the snow fell in a short amount of time and snowfall rates of 2 inches/hour (5 cm/hour) were reported.  The month ended with the first round of severe storms to hit the Region.  On February 27th thunderstorms produced large hail in southern Kansas and a brief tornado was spotted along the Kansas-Oklahoma border.

The heavy snow this month not only led to new February records but also new winter (December, January, and February) records.  Bonner Springs, Kansas, which is just outside of Kansas City, recorded its snowiest February on record with 17.5 inches (44 cm) of snowfall (period of record 1938-2011).  The old record was set in 1978 with 17.0 inches (43 cm).  Aberdeen, South Dakota had its 4th snowiest February with 21.0 inches (53 cm) and its snowiest winter with 61.2 inches (155 cm) of snow (period of record 1893-2011).  This beat the longstanding record of 57.0 inches (145 cm) which was set in 1915.

Meanwhile, North Dakota was on the dry side this month.  Fargo, North Dakota only received 0.08 inches (2 mm) of liquid equivalent precipitation which was the 6th driest February on record and Grand Forks, North Dakota only received 0.04 inches (1 mm) of liquid equivalent precipitation which was the 4th driest February on record.  The dry conditions this month did not stop the concern over flooding along the Red River or flood preparations.  According to the North Dakota State Climate Office, Fargo had already filled 1.5 million sand bags and the North Dakota National Guard began training sessions to help prepare for the potential flooding.

Climate Outlook

La Niña conditions were present across the equatorial Pacific this month and ENSO-neutral or La Niña conditions are equally likely late spring into early summer 2011.  The temperature outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal temperatures for much of Kansas and Colorado.  North Dakota, the majority of South Dakota, and extreme northern Wyoming have a higher probability of below normal temperatures.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures are predicted elsewhere in the Region.  The precipitation outlook indicates a higher probability of below normal precipitation for Colorado, Nebraska, the majority of Kansas, southern Wyoming, and southeastern South Dakota.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation are predicted elsewhere in the Region.  The seasonal outlooks combine the effects of long-term trends, soil moisture, and when applicable, the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO).  More information about these forecasts can be found here.

Drought Watch

The U.S. Drought Monitor did not change over the last month for the High Plains Region.  Severe drought conditions (D2) persisted over south-central Colorado and western Kansas.  A large area of moderate drought conditions (D1) across eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and the panhandle of Nebraska also remained.  A second area of D1 in southeastern Kansas also existed.  In addition, the areas of abnormally dry conditions (D0) in western Wyoming and surrounding the D1 areas remained unchanged.  According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released February 17th drought conditions across Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska were expected to persist and drought conditions were expected to develop in southern Nebraska and central Kansas.