No surprise -- February was snowy and cold

Decorah meteorologist Richard Bernatz reports February was colder and snowier than normal.

Seven days of the month recorded measurable snowfall, totaling 26 inches -- 18.2 inches more than the average amount of 7.8 inches. The greatest 24-hour snowfall in February was 8 inches on the 12th. Compared to all Februaries since 1894, only 2 had more snow than 2019. The snowiest February recorded was 26.3 inches in 1962.

As far as February temperatures, 91 previous years were warmer, and 34 were colder than 2019. Last month's average temperature was 16.4 degrees -- 3.6 degrees colder than average. Decorah's warmest day was 45 degrees on the 4th, and the coldest day was -13 degrees on the 19th.