Start of February brings record-high temperatures to C.R.

The first day of February brought Cedar Rapids record-high temperatures, according to the National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau. The city reached 55 degrees, trumping a 54-degree day on Feb. 1, 1911.

The warmth follows a snowy and tepid January.

Despite mid-month Arctic temperatures, average temperatures for January were at least 1 degree warmer than normal in several parts of Eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids and Davenport. January temperatures in Dubuque were 2.5 degrees warmer than normal.

Burlington and Iowa City were both slightly colder than normal, coming in at 0.9 degrees and 0.1 degrees cooler, respectively.

Precipitation totals were three-fourths of an inch to more than 2 inches above normal across Eastern Iowa. In Cedar Rapids, they were 1.8 inches above average; in Davenport, they were 2.27 inches above average.

With snowfall totals reaching 16 inches above normal, both Dubuque and Moline experienced their second snowiest January on record.

Iowa temperatures are likely to be above average in February. The eastern part of the state should see below-average precipitation.

Brittney J. Miller is the Energy & Environment Reporter for The Gazette and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Comments: (319) 398-8370; brittney.miller@thegazette.com