December 2014 Climate Summary

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

Temperature Summary

December was generally mild across the High Plains Region. Much above normal temperatures for most of the month gave way to bitter cold at the end. This resulted in monthly temperatures which were above normal for the majority of the Region. Temperature departures of 2.0-6.0 degrees F (1.1-3.3 degrees C) above normal were common, however an area encompassing eastern Colorado, northwestern Kansas, and central Nebraska had temperatures which averaged out to near normal (2.0 degrees F (1.1 degrees C) above/below normal). Although not record breaking, there were some isolated areas which had departures over 6.0 degrees F (3.3 degrees C). The relative warmth placed many locations in the top 25 warmest Decembers on record. For instance, Fargo, North Dakota had an average temperature of 21.1 degrees F (-6.1 degrees C), which was an impressive 7.0 degrees F (3.9 degrees C) above normal. This ranked as the 12th warmest December on record (period of record 1881-2014). The warmest December occurred back in 1959 with an average temperature of 25.9 degrees F (-3.4 degrees C).

A look at daily temperatures shows that many interesting records occurred this month. For instance, relatively warm and humid conditions settled into the Region during the middle of the month which allowed for a smaller diurnal temperature range than usual and some locations set new records for highest minimum temperature ever recorded in December. Lincoln, Nebraska had one of these records with a minimum temperature of 53 degrees F (11.7 degrees C) on the 14th. This was 37 degrees F (20.6 degrees C) above normal and high enough to beat the old record of 51 degrees F (10.6 degrees C) set on December 1, 1962. Laramie, Wyoming also had some interesting temperatures this month. With records going back to 1948, Laramie tied for its coldest December temperature with -34 degrees F (-36.7 degrees C) on the 31st and also tied for its 2nd warmest December temperature of 60 degrees F (15.6 degrees C) on the 12th. That’s a 94 degree F (52.3 degree C) temperature range for the month!

Precipitation Summary

December was generally a wet month for the High Plains Region with the main exception being North Dakota. Although there was a slow start to the snow season, end of the month snowpack was near normal in the Rockies in Colorado and Wyoming, with statewide snowpacks of 103 percent and 107 percent, respectively. Additionally, a large area of the Region had precipitation totals which were greater than 200 percent of normal including central Wyoming, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, western and central Nebraska, and southern South Dakota. A few localized areas had greater than 400 percent of normal precipitation. Meanwhile in North Dakota, precipitation was lacking with widespread precipitation totals of less than 25 percent of normal. For this part of the country, liquid equivalent precipitation is typically light at this time of the year so although there were extremes, the actual amounts were quite low.

These precipitation extremes led to some top 10 rankings on both ends of the spectrum. On the wet side, Scottsbluff, Nebraska had its snowiest December on record with 25.3 inches (64 cm). This new record was easily set by exceeding the old record (18.2 inches (46 cm) in 2007) by over 6.0 inches (15 cm). 9.3 inches (24 cm) fell on the 25th and was Scottsbluff ’s snowiest Christmas on record (period of record 1893-2014). Some areas of North Dakota, however, had a lack of snowfall this December. For example, Fargo, North Dakota only had a Trace of snow on the ground on Christmas and has yet to receive its first 1-inch (3 cm) snowfall of the season (although smaller snowfall events under one inch have occurred). Only two other times has the first 1-inch snowfall happened so late in Fargo - January 22, 1914 and January 27, 1944. With only 0.9 inches (2 cm) of snow, Fargo tied for its 3rd least snowiest December on record (period of record 1885-2014). This was 10.3 inches (26 cm) below normal.

Climate Outlook

Although ENSO-neutral conditions continued through December, El Niño is still favored to begin sometime this winter. Similar to last month’s outlook, the temperature outlook through March indicates a higher probability of above normal temperatures
for the western United States including the western half of Wyoming and part of western Colorado. The southern U.S. has a higher probability for below normal temperatures and this includes part of southeastern Kansas. Meanwhile, the precipitation outlook shows equal chances for northern areas of the region, with a higher probability for above normal precipitation in Kansas, much of Colorado, and southern Nebraska. All other areas in the Region have equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures and precipitation.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

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions remained largely unchanged over the past month. Winter is typically the driest time of year, so drought improvements or developments are not usually expected and impacts of drought, if any, are minor. The total area in drought (D1-D4) remained at about 11 percent with only a very slight expansion of moderate drought (D1) in South Dakota and a slight contraction in severe drought (D2) in northwestern Kansas. Drought conditions in the southern part of the region, across Colorado and Kansas, persisted. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) have expanded westward in the Dakotas and northward in Kansas where dryness has been occurring over the past three months. According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released December 18th, drought conditions in the small area of the Dakotas and across Kansas through eastern Colorado are expected to persist through the end of March. Although no drought areas are expected to improve or be removed, new areas of development are not expected either.