Eastern Cornbelt:
Northern Illinois experienced thunderstorms, heavy rain, snow, and high winds at midweek as a powerful storm churned through the region. Highs reached the 40s and 50s across the state during the week, fueling unstable weather conditions.
Wet and windy weather was also reported in central Indiana, causing power outages on Feb. 8-9 as 50-60 mph winds pounded the region. High-wind warnings were also in effect across Ohio at midweek, with high temperatures reaching the upper-50s and 60s in the state.
Western Cornbelt:
A band of snow moved through western and northern Missouri into southern and eastern Iowa as the week progressed, dropping 2-4 inches in Cedar Rapids, 3-7 inches in Iowa City and Davenport, and as much as nine inches of snow in Dubuque, Iowa, on Feb. 9.
Parts of southern Missouri, by contrast, were bracing for lowland flooding early in the week after as much as three inches of rain hit the area. As many as 17 Missouri counties were under a flood watch on Feb. 7-8.
California:
California’s drought recovery continued in early February as another system dropped 16-24 inches of snow in parts of the Sierra Nevada, pushing the snow water content to the highest level in 40 years.
After a barrage of atmospheric rivers in late December and January, statewide snowpack now stands at double the normal amount for this time of year. While Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake are still at 57% and 32% full, respectively, Lake Oroville has added more than 1.2 million acre-feet of water since December and is now near its historical average.
These gains have prompted officials to increase planned water allocations to farms served by the State Water Project. Experts are warning, however, that it will take more than one good year to replenish depleted groundwater in the state.
“The precipitation has been great, though the following clear skies mean a potential for frost with almonds soon to begin bloom,” said one contact at midweek. “We are hopeful that water restrictions will be lifted, and the Sacramento Valley will be back to customary rice acreage.”
Pacific Northwest:
Rain and wind lashed parts of western Oregon and Washington during the week, with nearly a foot of snow falling in the Cascades.
Coastal areas of Oregon received nearly an inch of rain on Feb. 7-8, with slightly lower amounts reported in the Willamette Valley. Gusty winds accompanied the precipitation, but warmer and drier weather was on tap for the balance of the week, with highs reaching the mid-50s in Portland.
Most of Idaho enjoyed sunny, spring-like weather during the week, with highs pushing into the 40s. Much of Montana also remained dry during the week after strong storms brought 2-3 feet of snow to higher elevations in western areas of the state in late January, which was needed after a drier-than-normal January.
Western Canada:
Mild temperatures were reported across Western Canada during the week, along with mostly dry conditions. Gusty winds created some issues for travelers in Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and Manitoba at midweek, however, due to icy roads and blowing snow.
British Columbia was the exception in early February. Forecasts warned of heavy rain, localized flooding, and heavy mountain snowfall in southern portions of the province on Feb. 7, with winter storm warnings in effect for several mountain passes.