Wettest Winter on Record For Lower 48

A NOAA analysis of this winter's precipitation revealed that this winter was the wettest on record for the lower 48. The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC - part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA) climate look-back determined that December, January and February collectively produced more precipitation than any other meteorological winter. With an average nationwide precipitation total of 3.22", this winter narrowly squeaks by the winter of 1997-98 by 0.02" for the title of wettest winter on record for the lower 48. It was especially wet - and snowy - in the Midwest and the Southeast. Take a look at this map for a better idea for where the highest precipitation anomalies took place this winter: The month of February was a cold one for the lower 48, with the monthly temperature running 1.8° below average. Temperatures were especially cold in the northern Plains states of Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Montana. Much of the western third of the country was abnormally chilly, as well. That said, through the winter months of December, January and February, temperatures ran 1.2° above average across the contiguous United States. For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Chris Bianchi