The north central United States has faced an unusually harsh winter marked by colder-than-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation. These conditions have led to widespread drought across the region, particularly affecting Minnesota, Colorado, and Nebraska. Assistant State Climatologist Matthew Sittel highlights a significant snow deficit in Minnesota and neighboring states, with some areas experiencing their driest start to the year on record. Additionally, extreme temperature fluctuations were observed in Nebraska, where towns experienced swings exceeding 100℉ over just a few days. As March progresses, unseasonably warm temperatures have further exacerbated frost depth reduction and soil warming, raising concerns about ongoing drought impacts.
A Closer Look at the Region's Harsh Winter
In the golden yet dry autumn that transitioned into winter, the north central United States witnessed an extraordinary season characterized by biting cold and insufficient moisture. According to Matthew Sittel, assistant state climatologist for Kansas, Minnesota and its surrounding states endured a severe snow shortfall, ranging from 20 to 40 inches below normal levels. Pennington County in Minnesota received only 0.01 inches of rain during February, while Red Lake County saw a mere 0.02 inches. Remarkably, eight counties in Minnesota are enduring their driest beginning to the year ever recorded.
Colorado joined Minnesota in battling abnormally low precipitation. Montrose County in western Colorado broke records for the driest three-month meteorological winter, recording just 1.34 inches of precipitation county-wide, significantly lower than the previous record of 1.58 inches. Meanwhile, Nebraska grappled with dramatic temperature variations, as three towns experienced temperature increases exceeding 100℉ within five to six days in late February. Broken Bow, Nebraska, notably swung from -35℉ on February 20 to a balmy 70℉ on February 26, marking a difference of 105℉.
As March unfolded, temperatures soared above normal levels by five to ten degrees Fahrenheit in many areas, accelerating frost depth disappearance and increasing soil warmth. Southern Kansas even reported soil temperatures surpassing 50℉, which is beneficial for planting but raises freeze risk concerns. The US Drought Monitor reveals worsening conditions compared to last year, with only Kentucky escaping drought entirely due to high precipitation levels. Looking ahead, the Missouri River Basin through the Dakotas and Nebraska anticipates persistent drought, whereas southern Wisconsin and parts of Michigan may see slight improvements.
From a journalistic perspective, this report underscores the critical importance of understanding regional weather patterns and their long-term implications. It serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between climate variability and agricultural sustainability. Readers should consider how these changing conditions might impact local economies, water resources, and community resilience strategies moving forward. Such insights not only inform immediate responses but also foster proactive planning for future challenges.