February 2009 Climate Summary

For a more detailed climate summary which includes more figures, data tables, and state summaries, click here.

Temperature

The warm temperatures of January continued into February as the majority of the High Plains region had average monthly temperatures ranging from 2˚F to 6˚F above normal. Many stations in Colorado recorded average monthly temperatures which ranked within the top ten warmest Februaries. Kim 10 SSE, CO had an average temperature of 43˚F which was the warmest February on record. This crushed the old record of 40.1˚F recorded in February 2000. North Dakota and northern South Dakota were the cool areas in the region, with temperature departures ranging from 2˚F to 10˚F below normal. Dickinson, ND had an average temperature of 13.4˚F which was the 9th coldest February on record.

Precipitation

Substantial precipitation fell across the Dakotas and west-central Nebraska this month as many locations received over 200% of normal precipitation. Monthly liquid precipitation records were broken in two locations in South Dakota. Cedar Butte 1 NE received 1.60 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation which was 305% of normal. The previous record of 1.34 inches was set back in 1953. Mission received 1.47 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation which was 320% of normal and broke the previous record of 1.46 inches set back in 1977.

Unfortunately, other areas in the region, many of which have been experiencing drought, were dry this month and many locations received less than 25% of normal precipitation.

Climate Outlook

This month La Niña conditions continued and are expected to persist through Spring 2009. NOAA forecasters are predicting chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation for Colorado, southern Wyoming, and western Kansas. Equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures and precipitation are predicted for the remainder of the region. This Spring 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 conditions (D1) have improved in southwestern North Dakota. However, moderate drought conditions (D1) have developed in southeastern Kansas and drought conditions persist across southwestern Wyoming and southeastern Colorado. Some categorical improvement is expected in southwestern Wyoming through May 2009, according to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released February 19. Persisting drought conditions are expected in the southeast corner of Colorado.