Rollercoaster Temperature Pattern in April: For the first 11 days of April, the average temperatures around the state were generally 4 to 8 degrees F cooler than normal, with many agricultural areas of the state reporting multiple frosts, even some single digit morning low temperatures. But since April 11th, temperatures have averaged 4 to 14 degrees F warmer than normal, with some areas reporting afternoon high temperatures in the 80s F on both the 12th and the 16th. Many climate observers have reported measurable rain on 9 or 10 days this month, as well as wind gusts of 30 mph or greater on 10 or 11 days. April 13th brought severe weather to portions of southern Minnesota, with tornado reports from Blue Earth, Faribault, and Freeborn Counties. Fortunately, little damage was reported. In addition, 17 southern Minnesota counties reported large hail, ranging in diameter from 1 inch to 3.5 inches. There were reports of car damage and even some damage to buildings due to the hail. It is a...
Cool, wet, windy start to April: Through the first nine days of the month, most climate stations are reporting an average monthly temperature that is 4°F to 8°F cooler than normal. Sor far temperature extremes for the month have ranged from 69°F at Wells (Faribault County) on the 8th to -6°F at Mahnomen (Mahnomen County) on the 6th. Temperatures are expected to be near normal or a bit warmer than normal for the balance of the month. Precipitation so far this month has been above normal in most areas of the state, especially southern and eastern counties. Some areas of southeastern Minnesota have reported over 3 inches, but many other areas have reported between 1 inch and 2.50 inches of precipitation so far. Over April 3-4, a few areas of the state reported record daily precipitation amounts. Some of these included: 1.36 inches at Austin, 1.24 inches at Rochester, and 1.03 inches at Caledonia. This wetter-than-normal weather pattern has dropped the area of the Minnesota landscap...