Missouri Climate Center

January 2025 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Dr. Pat Guinan
Climatologist
Extension Associate Professor Emeritus

Dr. Zachary Leasor
Assistant Professor
Missouri State Climatologist

Daily below average temperatures were frequent in Missouri during January, Figure 1, with preliminary data indicating an average statewide monthly temperature of 26.9°F, or 2.5° below the long-term normal. It was the coldest January in over a decade, since 2014, Figure 2, and the first below average month since last summer, Figure 3.

An upper air pattern from the northwest dominated for much of January, bringing Canadian air masses into the region. A lobe of the polar vortex impacted the eastern 2/3 of the country during the third week of January and sub-zero temperatures were felt across much of the Show-Me State. Northern portions of Missouri experienced temperatures double-digits below zero, Table 1.

January 2025 Extreme Minimum Daily Temperatures in Missouri
Location*	County	Min Temp (°F)	Date
Albany	Gentry	-18	22
Smithville Lake	Clay	-17	21
Conception	Nodaway	-16	21
Unionville	Putnam	-13	21
Marshall	Saline	-12	22
Maryville 2E	Nodaway	-12	22
Marshall	Saline	-12	22
Princeton	Mercer	-12	21
Cameron	DeKalb	-11	22
Cosby 2W	Andrew	-11	21
Spickard 7W	Grundy	-11	22
Kirksville Regional AP	Adair	-11	21
Novelty 1E	Knox	-11	21

*NWS Cooperative network and Missouri Mesonet
Table 1.

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

Preliminary January precipitation data indicated a statewide average of 1.94 inches, 0.15 inches below the long-term average, Figure 4. It was the first drier than average month since October, Figure 5. Most of the state reported below average precipitation except for northwestern sections and far southeastern Missouri. The Bootheel received the highest precipitation amounts, typical for this time of year. Parts of northeastern Missouri received less than 0.50 inches for the month. Lightest and heaviest rain gauge reports are listed in Table 2.

Missouri Rain Gauge Reports for January 1-31, 2025

	Station Name*	County	Precipitation (in.)

Lightest	Canton Lock and Dam 20	Lewis	0.34
	Monticello 0.4SSW	Lewis	0.37
	Kahoka 1.3ESE	Clark	0.47
	Callao 7.3N	Macon	0.48
	Shelbyville 5.5NNW	Shelby	0.50
	Blackburn 3.7E	Saline	0.52
	Memphis	Scotland	0.54

Heaviest	Caruthersville 1.6N	Pemiscot	7.15
	Portageville Delta Center	Pemiscot	6.40
	Steele 6W	Pemiscot	6.24
	Senath	Dunklin	6.13
	Cardwell	Dunklin	5.92
	Jackson 1.8NNE	Cape Girardeau	5.63

*Rain gauges are from the NWS Cooperative Network, CoCoRaHS, and Missouri Mesonet
Table 2.

Even though precipitation was below average, January snowfall was above average, except for the northern border counties. There were two significant winter storm events during the month, with the first one impacting much of the state on January 5-6, and in the form of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Heaviest snow amounts generally fell along and north of I-70 and ranged from 5-10 inches, with isolated accumulations over a foot, Figure 6. Freezing rain over portions of west central and southern Missouri resulted in several reports of tree and power line damage, power outages and road closures. Heaviest ice loads, between 0.50-0.75" thick, were reported in some locations. The second event occurred on Jan 10-11 and was mostly in the form of snow impacting the southern half of Missouri. Heaviest amounts occurred across southern Missouri where 4-7 inches were common, Figure 7.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, stubborn pockets of moderate drought were still impacting parts of northwestern, west central and southwestern Missouri by the end of January, Figure 8.

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