Provides a definition of El Nino; the outlook for winter temperatures and precipitation; potential winter impacts; and a look back at previous El Nino winters.

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 at https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports. 

Provides a definition of El Nino; the outlook for winter temperatures and precipitation; potential winter and spring impacts; and a look back at previous El Nino winters.

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 at https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for June – August 2018.  Dated September 2018. 

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for June – August 2018.  Dated September 2018. 

Drought in Missouri, southern Iowa, and western Illinois worsened through the summer, peaking in mid-August. In Missouri, exceptional drought covered 5% of the state, extreme drought 25%, and severe drought 54%. Severe drought also was noted in northern parts of Lower Michigan. Summer minimum temperatures ranked among the warmest 10% in all nine Midwest states, with Ohio ranking 2nd.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for March – May 2018.  Dated June 2018. 

Regionwide temperatures in April ranked as the 2nd coldest since 1895, only 1907 was colder, and were followed by record warm temperatures in May. Regionwide temperatures rose by more than 25°F from April to May when the normal increase is just over 10°F. April also saw heavier than normal snows.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for March – May 2018.  Dated June 2018. 

Several strong low pressure systems in March and April brought with them near-to-record-breaking cold temperatures as well as late season winter precipitation events. By contrast, May saw above-normal conditions for the majority of the basin.

This Midwest DEWS Strategic Plan builds upon existing stakeholder networks and activities to improve drought early warning capacity and long-term resilience in the Midwest. The Plan outlines priority tasks and activities for the implementation of the Midwest DEWS, including a list of partners, outcomes, and key milestone dates. The Plan is a “living document” to which additional actions and partners may be added as needed. While the Plan development is an interagency effort, NIDIS oversaw the development of the Plan and is working with regional stakeholders to manage the content.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for December 2017 – February 2018.  Dated March 2018.  

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for December 2017 – February 2018.  Dated March 2018. 

During late 2016, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC), and other regional partners convened four stakeholder meetings in the Midwest Drought Early Warning System (DEWS).