Minnesota WeatherTalk

Wet Start to October No Surprise: Normal October precipitation around Minnesota ranges from 2 to 2.5 inches most places. Already over the first few days of the month many of our climate observers in the state report 1.5 to 3.0 inches of rainfall, topped by Grand Meadow (Mower County) with 3.91 inches. Portions of Itasca and St Louis County (Orr) have reported 1 to 1.5 inches of snow already this month, while other places in northeastern Minnesota have reported a trace. Temperatures over the first few days are running about 3 to 7 degrees F cooler than normal.

For the year to date, over 30 climate stations have reported more than 40 inches of precipitation. The community of Rochester (Olmsted County) has recorded their wettest year in history (over 19 inches wetter than normal so far), while many other climate stations are on a pace to do so. Some of the cause for all the surplus precipitation this year stems from a larger number of intense thunderstorms that delivered 2 or more …

Preliminary Climate Summary for September: As we near the end of the month it appears that most climate stations will report a mean monthly temperature that ranges from 3 to 5 degrees F above normal, only the 2nd significantly warmer than normal month of 2019. Extremes were 91°F at Marshall on the 18th, and 31°F at Celina (St Louis County) on the 14th.

With respect to rainfall, September of 2019 will be among the six wettest in history on a statewide basis. Many areas received between 5 and 10 inches for the month. There were several new daily rainfall records set during the month, including 4.28" at Lake Wilson and 4.30" at Pipestone on the 12th. At least 70 new daily rainfall records were set within the state climate network during the month. A handful of climate stations reported over 10 inches of rainfall for the month.
Severe Weather on September 24th: Many parts of Minnesota reported thunderstorms with heavy rain, strong winds, and hail on Tuesday, September 24…

September Climate Update: Since last Saturday we have seen some of the warmest weather since early August prevail across much of the state. Over 100 climate stations have reported daytime highs above 80°F this week and in western Minnesota places like Windom, Marshall, Browns Valley, Milan, and Redwood Falls saw temperatures of 90° or higher. Of further note is that warm nights have prevailed as well, with seven climate stations reporting new record high minimum temperatures including 71°F at Canby, 69°F at Lamberton, and 66°F at Ada in the early morning of the 17th.

Minnesota farmers were happy to see the return of warmer than normal weather this week as it was needed to speed up corn development towards maturity. Most of the state corn crop is in the dough or dent state (condition of the kernels) and needs some more time to mature and dry down before harvest. The warm temperatures also help soybeans turn color and drop leaves this week as they progress to maturity.

It was go…

Wet Start to September: This has been a very wet week in many places as much of Minnesota has shown rainfall totals over 2 inches since Monday (September 9th). For the first half of the month most Minnesota climate stations have seen double the normal amount of rainfall, and several have already reported 3 to 6 inches of rain. Pipestone has already received 8.50 inches for the month. There have also been many reports of new daily rainfall records set within the state climate station network. Too many to report here, but some of the more significant ones are:

September 10th, 2.23” at Wheaton
September 11th, 2.30” at Zumbrota and 2.63” at Red Wing
September 12th, 4.40” at Pipestone; 4.28” at Lake Wilson; 3.15” at Luverne; 3.11” at Lamberton; 2.45” at Marshall; 2.19” at Canby; and 2.14” at Windom
September 13th, 3.72” at Minnesota City; 3.66” at Grand Meadow; 3.00” at Spring Valley; 2.67” at Caledonia; and 2.52” at Preston

We continue to witness many areas of the state recording one…