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Timely rain for some

Timely rain for some: The rain this week was timely, but highly variable. Over 80 climate observers reported that they received an inch or more of rainfall. A few spots in Stevens and Grant Counties (west-central Minnesota) reported over 2 inches of rain. This time of year as Minnesota crops begin more rapid growth, weekly doses of rain will be more critical. As we enter the second week of June, fully three-quarters of Minnesota corn and soybean fields are estimated to be in good to excellent condition. We will likely need weekly doses of rain to sustain this. Outlooks for at the least the first half of June favor more frequent rain and thunderstorms across the state through at least June 18th.So hopefully, good to excellent crop conditions will be maintained through the month. With a lot of daytime high temperatures in the 80s F and nighttime lows in the 60s F, most climate stations are reporting average temperatures through the first four days of the month that are 5°F to 7°F w...
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Preliminary Climate Summary for May of 2026

Preliminary Climate Summary for May of 2026: May brought wide temperature fluctuations across Minnesota, starting out the first half of the month with multiple frosts and many days with colder than normal temperatures. Frosts occurred across even southern Minnesota counties over May 5-6, but most crops were either just planted or too early in their growth to be seriously damaged. Mid-month monthly brought some summerlike temperatures, as well as some Red Flag Warnings because of very low humidity and high winds. The last week of the month brought well above normal temperatures, with many climate stations reporting high temperatures of 90°F or above. May 16th and May 25th brought daily record high temperatures to at least 20 climate stations in the state. International Falls reached a daily record high temperature of 89°F on the 25th. Overall, northern Minnesota reported mean monthly temperatures that were from 1°F to 3°F cooler than normal, while southern Minnesota climate stations rep...
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Welcome Rain

Welcome Rain: After a spell of very windy and dry weather last week that produced several days of Red Flag Warnings and resulted in some significant wildfires in northeastern areas of Minnesota, some much needed widespread rains arrived over this past week. Over 350 observers reported from 1 to 2 inches of rainfall over the period from May 15 to May 21. Some areas in south-central and east-central Minnesota reported between 2 and 4 inches of rain. Mapleton in Blue Earth County reported over 4 inches, while Winnebago in Faribault County reported over 3.80 inches. More details on the rain distribution and impact can be found at the Minnesota State Climatology Office web site . The rain was also welcomed by crop producers around the state, as nearly all the corn and soybeans have been planted and will benefit from the added soil moisture, and alfalfa producers were looking for a rain induced burst of growth before taking their first cuttings this year. With the rain and warming tempe...
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Very Windy and Dry Month of May So Far

Very Windy and Dry Month of May So Far: Through the first two weeks of May, the climate signature in Minnesota is cool, dry, and very windy. Despite the warm-up this week, average temperatures for the month so far range from 2°F to 5°F below normal, with multiple frosts having occurred in many areas. Frosts were reported as recently as May 12th (Tue) in some southern counties, and as recently as May 14th in some northern counties. Forecasts for over the weekend suggest a continuation of above normal temperatures (some 70s F and 80s F) through at least Monday before another cool-down to below normal values. Rainfall has been significantly absent so far this month, with most places in the state reporting less than a tenth of an inch. Only a few places in northeastern and north-central Minnesota have reported rainfall between a quarter of an inch and half an inch. Rapidly moving thunderstorms brought some rain to portions of central and northern Minnesota Thursday afternoon (May 14)....
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Cold and Dry Start to May

Cold and Dry Start to May: The month of May has started out colder than normal. Most climate stations report an average monthly temperature through the first 8 days that is 6°F to 9°F cooler than normal. Many areas of the state have seen multiple frosty nights. In fact, a a few northern counties have reported low temperatures from 15°F to 19°F. Frosts have occurred as far south as Caledonia and Albert Lea. Fortunately after this coming Monday (May 11) temperatures are expected to warm closer to normal and even above normal values by the middle of next week. Most of the state has reported no rainfall so far this month. Some northern areas have received between 0.10 inches and 0.30 inches from brief showers. Forecasts suggested that there will be little rainfall until at least the second half of the month, so that some remaining areas of Moderate Drought in the state may expand over the coming couple of weeks. Crop planting progress this month has been very good, with over half of...
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