January 2009 Climate Summary

For state summaries, figures, and more please see pdf file located below.

Temperature

The majority of the High Plains region had average monthly temperatures which ranged from 6˚F to 8˚F above normal. Meanwhile, areas which were dominated by northwest flow had temperature departures of 2˚F to 8˚F below normal. An intrusion of arctic air in mid-January led to several daily minimum temperature records. One daily record includes Bismarck, ND which recorded a low temperature of -44˚F on January 15th.

South Dakota was a state divided as the western half had above normal average monthly temperatures and the eastern half had below normal average monthly temperatures. For instance, Spearfish, which is located on the far western edge of the state, recorded an average temperature of 31.3˚F which was the 8th warmest January on record. Meanwhile, Victor 4 NNE, which is located in the far northeast corner of the state, recorded an average temperature of 1.8˚F which was the 3rd coldest January on record.

Precipitation

Areas that received above normal precipitation this month included northwestern North Dakota, western South Dakota, eastern Wyoming, northwestern Colorado, and the panhandle of Nebraska. The Waubay National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota recorded its wettest January and received 2.22 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or 396% of normal precipitation.

Little to no precipitation fell across a large area of the High Plains this month as much of the southern portion of the region and areas of the Dakotas and Wyoming received less than 50% of normal precipitation. Because of the dearth of precipitation, drought conditions persist across western North Dakota, western Wyoming, and southeastern Colorado.

Climate Outlook

La Niña conditions have developed and are expected to continue through Spring 2009. NOAA forecasters are predicting chances of above normal temperatures for Kansas, Colorado, and most of Nebraska. Equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures are predicted for the remainder of the region. Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation exist for the entire High Plains region. This outlook is produced by scientists at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. More information can be found here: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/.

Drought Watch

Moderate drought (D1) persists in southwestern North Dakota, southwestern Wyoming, and southeastern Colorado. Some categorical improvement is expected in southwestern Wyoming through April 2009, according to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released January 15. An even higher likelihood of improvement is expected in southwestern North Dakota. Persisting drought conditions are expected in the southeast corner of Colorado.