The weather patterns in the Midwest United States during the first half of 2023 and 2024 have shown some significant differences.
2023 Highlights:
- The first half of 2023 was marked by several unusual weather patterns, including “stuck” weather systems that led to extended periods of similar conditions. Notably, atmospheric river storms brought heavy snowfall to the Sierra Nevada, contributing to significant snowpack accumulation and alleviating drought conditions in California (FOX Weather).
- The Midwest experienced fluctuating conditions with periods of dryness contributing to drought concerns, particularly in states like Iowa, where significant precipitation deficits were noted (FOX Weather).
2024 Highlights:
- The early months of 2024 saw a transition from El Niño to neutral conditions, impacting weather patterns across the country. The Midwest experienced varied conditions with some areas receiving beneficial precipitation while others continued to struggle with drought (DTN/PF) (NOAA Climate Prediction Center).
- January 2024 saw a significant Arctic outbreak, leading to below-freezing temperatures across much of the country, including the Midwest. However, as the year progressed, the region experienced periods of above-average temperatures, especially in May and early June, due to a strong ridge-trough pattern (NOAA Climate Prediction Center).
- The Midwest and Great Lakes regions faced continued drought challenges into 2024, with some areas experiencing worsening conditions despite some heavy precipitation events in early January. The overall outlook suggested potential for persistent heat and dryness through the summer, exacerbating drought conditions (DTN/PF) (NOAA Climate Prediction Center).
Overall, while both years experienced notable weather extremes, 2023 had more persistent stuck weather patterns and significant winter storms, whereas 2024 saw more variability with the influence of transitioning ENSO conditions and significant temperature swings.
Temperature Changes:
- 2023:
- The January to June period in 2023 saw above-average temperatures across much of the Midwest. The contiguous U.S. average temperature was 49.2°F, which was 1.7°F above the historical average. Several states in the Midwest experienced warmer conditions, with notable warmth in regions like Illinois and Michigan (NOAA NCEI) (NOAA NCEI).
- States such as Ohio and Indiana recorded one of their warmest starts to the year. This period was marked by significant warmth, contributing to early snowmelt and affecting agricultural planting schedules.
- 2024:
- In contrast, the first half of 2024 continued the trend of above-average temperatures, influenced significantly by a strong El Niño. The Great Lakes and parts of the Midwest, including states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, saw well above average temperatures (DTN/PF) (FOX Weather).
- The general warmth persisted, though with some variability. Areas in the northern Midwest experienced consistent warm spells, leading to early-season heat waves and affecting crop growing conditions.
Precipitation Changes:
- 2023:
- The early months of 2023 were characterized by below-average precipitation in several parts of the Midwest. This contributed to expanding drought conditions, particularly in states like Iowa and Missouri. Despite some significant rain events, overall, the region faced deficits that impacted water resources and agriculture (NOAA NCEI) (NOAA NCEI).
- By late spring, there were some improvements due to above-normal precipitation in certain areas, but the drought remained a significant issue.
- 2024:
- The precipitation patterns in 2024 showed some improvement due to El Niño, which brought more moisture to the region during the winter and early spring. However, the distribution was uneven, with some areas experiencing wetter conditions while others remained dry (DTN/PF) (FOX Weather).
- The Midwest saw periods of heavy rainfall, particularly in the southern parts, which helped mitigate drought conditions to some extent. Yet, there were concerns about the potential return of drought in the summer due to the predicted shift towards La Niña conditions, which could lead to drier weather later in the year (DTN/PF) (FOX Weather).
Overall, the first six months of 2023 were marked by widespread warmth and significant drought concerns, while 2024 saw continued warmth with slightly better precipitation but ongoing concerns about dry conditions returning later in the year.
