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Mid-November Weather Update

Mid-November Weather Update: Most climate stations throughout Minnesota are reporting average temperatures for the month so far that range from 6°F to 8°F above normal. This follows the trend of warmer than normal weather established in both September and October. There have been several days that have brought maximum temperatures of 50°F or above, and a day or two of 60°F readings in some places. This week brought more significant rainfall to the state. At mid-month, most Minnesota climate stations are reporting near normal or above normal precipitation so far this month. A number of climate stations in eastern counties have reported over 2 inches. Drought conditions continue, but eased up slightly as those areas of the state in at least Moderate Drought (84 percent) declined by 5 percentage points to 79 percent. The persistent strong winds of November have yet to materialize except for Veterans Days (November 11) when wind gusts exceeded 40 mph across much of central and northe
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Wet Start to November

Wet Start to November: Rainfall was certainly abundant over the first six days of November with many climate stations reporting measurable amounts on at least four days. Total rainfalls between 1 and 1.5 inches were fairly common across the state. Normal monthly precipitation for November typically ranges from 0.75 inches in the northwest to 1.75 inches in the southeast. There have been a handful of record-setting daily rainfalls, including 1.73 inches at Delano (Wright County) on November 1st, and 1.05 inches at Caledonia (Houston County) on November 3rd. In fact, portions of Houston and Fillmore Counties in southeastern Minnesota have reported over 2 inches of rain so far this month. Their normal precipitation for the entire month is around 1.85 inches, so they have already had a wet month of November. More significant precipitation is expected over much of the state next week as well, and the NOAA Climate Prediction Center outlooks favor a wetter than normal and warmer than nor
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Climate Summary for October

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
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Comments on Soil Moisture Recharge

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
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Flirting with a historically dry October

Flirting with a historically dry October: October continued to be extremely dry this week for most places in the state, with the exception of northeastern Minnesota where rainfall was recorded on both October 12 and 13. In fact some observers in the northeast reported between 1 and 2 inches of rainfall over those dates. A few reported new daily record rainfall amounts including: 1.44 inches at Wolf Ridge 1.36 inches at Embarrass 1.20 inches at Tower 1.12 inches at Grand Portage Still, many observers in the state have reported little or no rainfall for the month so far, and we are past the halfway point. The statewide average rainfall this month is only 0.26 inches, although it continues to look like the last week of this month may bring significant rainfall. Here are the 5 driest Octobers in state history based on statewide average precipitation: 1952 0.13 inches 1889 0.14 inches 1895 0.27 inches 1944 0.35 inches 1976 0.46 inches This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor showed that 97 pe
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