Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for March - May 2021. Dated June 2021.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin March - May 2021. Dated June 2021.

There were stark differences in both temperature and precipitation across the region this spring. Temperatures were, for the most part, near to below normal across much of the west and south, and near to above normal across the east.  Meanwhile, heavy precipitation fell across southern areas and little to none fell across the north.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for March - May 2021.  Dated June 2021.

Spring was up to 3°C (5°F) warmer than normal. Lake temperatures were also slightly above average this spring.  All basins except Superior were drier than average every month of spring, with the overall basin seeing 68% of average precipitation in March, 81% of average in April, and 62% of average in May. Spring precipitation was 70% of average.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for December 2020 – February 2021. Dated March 2021.

Winter temperatures averaged to within a few degrees of normal across the region, but averaging hid the big temperature swings seen this winter.  Winter precipitation was generally below normal across the Midwest.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for December 2020 – February 2021.  Dated March 2021.

Winter temperatures ranged from 1°C (2°F) below to 3°C (5°F) above normal.  Winter precipitation was below average, with the basin seeing 55% of average.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin December 2020 – February 2021. Dated March 2021.

Temperatures this winter were extreme on both ends of the spectrum. Several states in the region ranked in the top 10 warmest Decembers and Januarys, while others ranked in the top 10 coldest Februarys.  Although much of the region was on the dry side this winter, only North Dakota ranked in the top 10 at 3rd driest.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for September – November 2020. Dated December 2020.

Precipitation totals in the Midwest ranged from less than 50% of normal in northwestern Minnesota to more than 150% of normal in eastern Iowa. Many areas were near normal. Fall temperatures were within 2°F of normal across the Midwest. After more than 1,000 record low daily temperatures in the last half of October, the first 11 days of November saw more than 1,500 record-high daily temperatures.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for September – November 2020.  Dated December 2020.

While conditions were overall fairly normal throughout the fall, record-setting warmth, especially in the first half of November, was the most notable event this season. Fall precipitation was below or near average, with the basin seeing 87% of average.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin September – November 2020. Dated December 2020.

Autumn 2020 was one of the driest on record for several states, including North Dakota (3rd), Colorado (9th), Nebraska (9th), Kansas (19th), and South Dakota (20th). Although temperatures were, overall, near normal, autumn had many extremes.

Provides information on the typical La Niña winter pattern; the La Niña outlook; potential impacts; and comparisons of conditions during previous La Niña years.

NOAA’s Regional Climate Services Program created these outlooks to inform the public about climate impacts within their respective regions. Each regional report contains easy-to-understand language, and anyone can access them through the Drought Portal.