February 2012 Climate Summary

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

Temperature Summary

February 2012 was generally warmer and wetter than normal across the High Plains Region. While average temperatures were above normal for much of the Region, areas of central Colorado, western Nebraska, and southern and west-central Wyoming had below normal temperatures. The largest temperature departures occurred in east-central Colorado and south-central Wyoming where temperature departures were up to 8.0 degrees F (4.4 degrees C) below normal. However, it was especially warm, yet again, across the northern part of the Region where temperature departures ranged from 6.0-10.0 degrees F (3.3-5.6 degrees C) above normal.

Although the warmer than normal temperatures did not lead to any new February records, the continued warmth throughout this winter caused many locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas to rank in the top 10 warmest winters on record. Topeka, Kansas had its 2nd warmest winter (December, January, and February) with an average temperature of 37.6 degrees F (3.1 degrees C). The record of 38.6 degrees F (3.7 degrees C) occurred in the winter of 1991-1992 (period of record 1887-2012). Fargo, North Dakota had its warmest winter on record with an average temperature of 22.1 degrees F (-5.5 degrees C). The old record of 22.0 degrees F (-5.6 degrees C) occurred in the 1986-1987 winter season (period of record 1881-2012).

Precipitation Summary

February was an active month across the High Plains Region. The majority of the Region was wet this month; however, there were some drier areas as well. The driest portions of the Region, where precipitation was less than 25 percent of normal, included northern North Dakota and western South Dakota. Large areas of the Region had precipitation totals which were 200-400 percent of normal, including eastern Kansas, central and eastern Nebraska, eastern South Dakota, central and eastern Wyoming, and northern Colorado. By the month’s end, several locations in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska ranked in the top 10 wettest Februaries on record. For instance, Akron 4E, Colorado, located in the northwestern part of the state, had its wettest February on record with 1.53 inches (39 mm) of liquid equivalent precipitation (period of record 1893-2012). The old record occurred in 1987 with 1.47 inches (37 mm) of precipitation. Because February precipitation is typically light, this seemingly small amount of precipitation at Akron 4E was actually 392 percent of normal precipitation. Further east, Wichita, Kansas had its 4th wettest February on record with 3.57 inches (91 mm) of precipitation (period of record 1888-2012). The wettest February occurred in 1915 with 4.61 inches (117 mm) of precipitation. Most of Wichita’s monthly precipitation fell in one day. On February 3rd, 2.86 inches (72 mm) of rain fell and set two new records for Wichita – a new daily precipitation record for February 3rd and a new record for the highest one-day precipitation total for February.

Many storm systems moved through parts of the Region this February; however two systems – one at the beginning and one at the end of the month – were quite notable. After a warm and dry start to the year, February kicked off with a strong winter storm which affected Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The system brought a combination of rain, snow, and even some thundersnow. By the end of the storm, a large swath of 6.0-12.0 inches (15-30 cm) of snow blanketed an area stretching from eastern Colorado and Wyoming into northern Kansas, and much of Nebraska. The heavy, wet snow caused numerous power outages, travel delays, and significant tree damage. In addition, this snowfall set many new daily records. For example, Lincoln, Nebraska received 11.1 inches (28 cm) of snow which beat the old daily record for February 4th by 5.4 inches (14 cm)! The old record of 5.7 inches (14 cm) occurred in 1971 (period of record for snowfall 1948-2012). Interestingly, this snowfall total was also the 4th highest 1-day snowfall total for any day for Lincoln.

The end of the month was also an active period. On February 28th, an intense low pressure system brought heavy snow to South Dakota, southern North Dakota, and northern Nebraska, and severe weather to Kansas and central Nebraska. Snow totals of 4.0-12.0 inches (10-30 cm) were reported across South Dakota and up to 9.0 inches (23 cm) of snow fell across southern North Dakota. This same storm brought severe weather, including tornadoes, hail, and high winds to areas to the south. A total of 8 tornadoes were reported in Kansas and Nebraska. According to the National Weather Service in Topeka, Kansas an EF2 tornado (wind speeds of 111-135 mph or 179-217 km/h) caused significant damage to buildings, including an apartment complex and a church, in Harveyville, Kansas which is located in the northeastern part of the state. While most of the severe weather was confined to Kansas, the first tornadoes to ever be reported in Nebraska in February also occurred. According to the National Weather Service in North Platte, Nebraska, an EF0 tornado (wind speeds of 65-85 mph or 105-137 km/h) was confirmed 21 miles northeast of North Platte, Nebraska or 9 miles west southwest of the small town of Gandy, Nebraska. A little later that day, another EF0 tornado occurred near Greeley, Nebraska.

Climate Outlook

La Niña conditions are present in the equatorial Pacific and are expected to transition to neutral conditions. The temperature outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal temperatures for Kansas, the southern half of Colorado, and the eastern halves of Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The precipitation outlook indicates a higher probability of below normal precipitation for western Kansas, southwestern Nebraska, and the majority of Colorado. Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation and temperature 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

There were a few changes to the U.S. Drought Monitor this month. Luckily, most of the changes were improvements. Heavy precipitation led to a downgrade of some of the extreme drought conditions (D3) in south-central Kansas. Additionally, abnormally
dry conditions (D0) in north-central and southeast Nebraska were also eliminated due to the precipitation from the early February winter storm. By the end of the month, because of ongoing dryness, D0 expanded into south-central South Dakota and severe drought conditions (D2) expanded slightly in eastern South Dakota. Other areas of the High Plains Region remained largely unchanged. According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, all drought conditions in the Region are expected to persist through May, except for east-central Kansas, where conditions are expected to improve somewhat. Additionally, drought conditions are expected to develop in western Colorado and the Dakotas.