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.)

LightestSt. Joseph 4.4E Buchanan0.35
  Gower 2.7S Clinton 0.40
  Nevada Water Plant Vernon 0.42
  Marshall Saline 0.45
  Appleton City 1.9NWBates 0.46
  Forest City 6.9N Holt 0.47
  Rosendale 2.6ESE Andrew 0.48

HeaviestSikeston Power Station Scott 7.04
  Portageville Delta CenterPemiscot6.91
  Steele 6W Pemiscot6.67
  Poplar Bluff Butler 6.01
  Hayward (Lee Farm) Pemiscot5.91
  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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Columbia, MO January Daily Max/Min Temperature Normal vs 2022

Figure 1.



Missouri Average January Temperature 1895-2022

Figure 2.



Missouri Monthly Temperature Departure from Average January 2021 - January 2022*

Figure 3.



Missouri Average January Precipitation 1895-2022

Figure 4.



Missouri Monthly Precip. Departure from Average January 2021 - January 2022*

Figure 5.



Radar-Estimated Precipitation for January 2022

Figure 6.



January 1-2, 2022 Total Snowfall (in.)

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



January 15-16, 2022 Total Snowfall (in.)

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



U.S. Drought Monitor - Missouri - January 2022

Figure 9.



Average Temperature (°F) January 01, 2022 to January 31, 2022



Average Temperature (°F): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals January 01, 2022 to January 31, 2022



Accumulated Precipitation (in) January 01, 2022 to January 31, 2022



Accumulated Precipitation (in): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals January 01, 2022 to January 31, 2022




Source: Pat Guinan, 573-882-5908