Eastern Cornbelt:
Thunderstorms and colder temperatures were reported across Illinois as the week progressed, with highs topping out in the mid-40s across central areas of the state on Jan. 12-13.
Similar conditions were reported in Indiana, where a dense fog advisory was in effect for central areas of the state on Jan. 12. With highs expected to drop to the upper-30s and low-40s, forecasts warned of ice accumulation and snow flurries in many locations by the end of the week.
A winter weather advisory was also issued for northeastern Ohio on Jan. 12-13, with most areas expecting 1-3 inches of snow, but a few locations looking at up to six inches of accumulation.
Western Cornbelt:
Temperatures in central Iowa reached the mid-40s at midweek, but a cold front brought highs down to the low-30s on Jan. 12-13, along with an increased chance of precipitation by the weekend.
Rain and snow showers moved across Nebraska on Jan. 11, with highs topping out in the mid-20s to low-30s on Jan. 12. Similar conditions were reported in northern and central Missouri, where western areas of the state collected 2-3 inches of snow on Jan. 12 after highs in the 50s and low-60s earlier in the week.
Southern Plains:
Freezing rain and light snowfall were reported in parts of eastern Kansas as the week progressed, with forecasts warning of snow flurries in northern Oklahoma as well on Jan. 12. That was a stark change from earlier in the week, when near-record highs were observed in some parts of Oklahoma.
Temperatures climbed to more than 80 degrees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at midweek, but a cold front was expected to push lows down to the 30s by the weekend. High-wind warnings were in effect for much of eastern New Mexico at midweek, prompting a red flag fire warning for the northeast and east central plains.
“The next significant application season should start along the Gulf Coast, mid- to end-February, weather allowing,” said one source. “I think when that starts we bring some stability and it sets a floor. Any swings after that will be driven by supply and demand.”
South Central:
A strong cold front pushed through parts of the Mississippi River Valley on Jan. 12, dropping temperatures and sparking strong thunderstorms in the South Central region.
An EF-1 tornado with 100 mph winds was reported near West Harrodsburg, Ky., early on Jan. 12, with at least 5,000 power outages confirmed across the state. The system also brought heavy rain and quarter-sized hail to central Kentucky, with forecasts warning of possible snow showers in Kentucky and northern Arkansas as temperatures fall on Jan. 12-13.
Tornado activity was also observed in northeastern Mississippi and southern Alabama on Jan. 12, with reports of extensive damage near Mobile and Selma, Ala. More than 35,000 customers in Alabama and more than 2,000 customers in Mississippi were without power on the afternoon of Jan. 12, according to poweroutage.us.
Southeast:
Strong winds and heavy rain were expected in Georgia, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas on Jan. 12, with forecasts warning of possible tornado activity in an area stretching from Dothan, Ala., to Leesburg, Ga. By the end of the week, snow showers were possible at higher elevations in North Carolina.
A number of tornadoes were confirmed in Alabama on Jan. 12, causing extensive damage in locations such as Decatur, Moulton, and Selma.
Although most of Florida enjoyed calm, warm weather during the week, a cold front was expected to drop temperatures to the mid-50s by the weekend, with overnight lows in the 40s.