Climate Summary for October: Following the pattern of September, temperatures averaged well above normal in October. Most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature that was 4°F to 6°F above normal, with the most significant departures from normal in the western and southern counties. Some areas of the state were as much as 8°F warmer than normal, and many central and southern counties reported either their 4th or 5th warmest October in history, with several days when the afternoon high temperature reached 80°F or greater. Statewide it appears October of 2024 will be the 6th warmest in history. Extremes across the state ranged from 88°F at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) on October 10th to just 15°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on the 17th. During the month, over 90 daily record high temperatures were reported from the Minnesota climate station network, and over 45 record daily warm minimum temperatures were reported. October 29 (Tuesday) of this week alone, brought
Comments on Soil Moisture Recharge: I have heard from many MPR listeners in recent weeks about their concern for the dryness this autumn season and its potential negative effects for gardens and agricultural soils. Indeed, the precipitation during the autumn season is one of the most critical features of our climate in terms of maintaining adequate soil moisture for gardens and for agricultural crops. Numerous studies over the decades by respected scientists like Donald Baker and Wally Nelson have shown that on average 50 to 60 percent of the total autumn precipitation across Minnesota is stored by the soil, the highest fractional storage of moisture for any season of the year. This relatively higher value of soil moisture storage for this time of year is due to several reasons. Most vegetation has died or is in the process of going dormant and using little soil moisture; surface evaporation is reduced because of the lower air temperatures, sun angle and declining daylength; and rain