January 2022 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Pat Guinan
State Climatologist
University of Missouri Extension

Large temperature fluctuations were the rule in Missouri during January, from periods of below normal temperatures to strings of seasonably mild days, Figure 1. A meandering jet stream within northwesterly flow was the culprit for the "roller coaster" weather pattern. Every few days, frontal boundaries would sweep through the state bringing with them occasional incursions of Canadian arctic air. Preliminary data indicate the average statewide temperature for January was 28.4°F, 1.0 degree below the long-term average (1901-2000). It was the first colder than average January since 2018, Figure 2, and the first below average month since July of last year, Figure 3.

Coldest minimum temperatures occurred across northern Missouri with some double-digit below zero reports, Table 1. Sub-zero temperatures generally impacted the northern half of the state and some low-lying areas of the Ozarks. Warmest daily high temperatures reached the middle 60s and were reported on the first and last day of January, Table 2.

The seasonably cold January conditions contrasted notably with the previous record warm December, and translated to higher energy consumption and more days with bitter cold and wind chill for outdoor workers, exposed livestock and pets.

January 2022 Extreme Minimum Daily Temperatures in Missouri
Location*	County	Min Temp (°F)	Date
Green City 5N	Sullivan	-12	21
Conception	Nodaway	-11	3
Memphis	Scotland	-10	22
Grant City 5WSW	Worth	-9	2
Novelty 1E	Knox	-9	21
Albany	Gentry	-8	3
Corning (Graves-Chapple)	Atchison	-8	2
Kirksville Regional AP	Adair	-8	21
Unionville	Putnam	-8	2
Princeton	Mercer	-7	3
Tarkio #2	Atchison	-7	3
*NWS Cooperative network and Missouri Mesonet
Table 1.

January 2022 Extreme Maximum Daily Temperatures in Missouri
Location*	County	Max Temp (°F)	Date
Kansas City Downtown AP	Clay	66	31
Lamar 1W	Barton	66	31
Kansas City Intl AP	Platte	65	31
Mount Vernon SW Center	Lawrence	65	31
Steele 6W	Pemiscot	65	1
Cardwell	Dunklin	64	1
Corning (Graves-Chapple)	Atchison	64	31
Green Ridge	Pettis	64	31
Hayward (Lee Farm)	Pemiscot	64	1
Portageville (Delta Center)	Pemiscot	64	1
Senath 2NE	Dunklin	64	1
*NWS Cooperative network and Missouri Mesonet
Table 2.

Preliminary precipitation data indicated a statewide average of 1.62 inches, 0.47 inches below the long-term average. It was the first drier than average January since 2018, Figure 4. Five out the past 6 months have been drier than normal, Figure 5. Most of the state reported below average precipitation with the exception of far south central and southeastern Missouri and a few counties in northwestern sections where precipitation was slightly above average.

According to radar estimates, Figure 6, portions of northwestern, west central, central and southwestern Missouri reported less than 1.50 inches for the month. Driest estimates, less than 0.50 inches, were found in pockets of northwestern and west central Missouri and some southwestern border counties. Wetter conditions were indicated in east central, south central and southeastern Missouri, where 1.50 to 3-inches were common. Heaviest totals of 3 to 5+ inches were located in far southeastern sections. Lightest and heaviest rain gauge reports are listed in Table 3.

Missouri Rain Gauge Reports for January 1-31, 2022
	Station Name*	County	Precipitation (in.)
Lightest	St. Joseph 4.4E	Buchanan	0.35
	Gower 2.7S	Clinton	0.40
	Nevada Water Plant	Vernon	0.42
	Marshall	Saline	0.45
	Appleton City 1.9NW	Bates	0.46
	Forest City 6.9N	Holt	0.47
	Rosendale 2.6ESE	Andrew	0.48
Heaviest	Sikeston Power Station	Scott	7.04
	Portageville Delta Center	Pemiscot	6.91
	Steele 6W	Pemiscot	6.67
	Poplar Bluff	Butler	6.01
	Hayward (Lee Farm)	Pemiscot	5.91
	Senath 2NE	Dunklin	5.91
*Rain gauges are from the NWS Cooperative Network, CoCoRaHS, and Missouri Mesonet
Table 3.

There were a couple notable snow events during the month, with the first one impacting parts of northern Missouri on Jan 1-2, where 2-4 inches were common, Figure 7. A widespread, and heavier event impacted most of the state on January 15-16. Snowfall amounts ranged between 2-8 inches, Figure 8.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 40% of Missouri was reported to be abnormally dry toward the end of January, Figure 9.

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Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

Figure 7. CoCoRaHS total snowfall map, January 1-2, 2022.

Figure 8. CoCoRaHS total snowfall map, January 15-16, 2022.

Figure 9.

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Source: Pat Guinan, 573-882-5908