State climatologist Harry Hillaker says February ended up about six degrees colder than average, and while he says the overall precipitation total for the month was right at the average, it was still unusual. Hillaker says it was untypical as the moisture we did get came almost all in snow. He says the month ended up with an average statewide of 14 inches of snow, making it the sixth snowiest February on record.
The snow added to what is already a record for snowpack in the state. Statewide there was a little less than 46 inches of snow so far this winter, which is about 13 and a quarter inches more than normal and right now ranks as the eighth highest total in state history with March and April yet to go. The colder than normal February continues a pattern.
He says December and January were also colder than normal, making it the 20th coldest period and it is the third consecutive winter we have had below normal temperatures, and it is the fourth consecutive winter with above normal snowfall. Hillaker says March is generally a warmer month than February, but we could be in for a lot of the same weather across the state.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City