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Big winds last Friday and Saturday, followed by sunny, warm, and dry days

Big winds last Friday and Saturday, followed by sunny, warm, and dry days: Strong winds (gusts from 35 mph to 45 mph) last Friday and Saturday, stripped many colorful leaves from the trees across Minnesota. Then high pressure settled in for the week, with sunny and dry conditions bringing warmer than normal daily temperatures. Though no record-setting high temperatures were reported this week, temperatures nevertheless averaged from 8°F to 14°F warmer than normal. Drought conditions held study this week around the state (36% Moderate, 24% Severe, and 3% Extreme), but outlook models suggest more frequent chances for rain for the balance of the month. Hopefully this will be the reality. Discussing Climate Change in Fergus Falls this week: I had a good meeting on Wednesday with the citizens of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County talking about the evidence for climate change in that area of the state. The meeting was sponsored by the local chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. I saw many ...
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Record warmth followed by frost threat

Record warmth followed by frost threat: Record or near-record warm temperatures prevailed in Minnesota over October 10-12 this week, with many counties reporting afternoon temperatures in the 80s F, and some reporting 90s F. Over 70 climate stations reported setting new daily high maximum temperatures. Some of these records included: 90°F at both St Cloud and MSP on October 10 91°F at Wheaton and Lamberton on October 11 91°F at Austin and 90°F at Albert Lea on October 12th In addition, over 30 climate observers reported setting new daily records for warm overnight minimum temperatures, including a reading of 65°F on the 11th at MSP. Persistent southerly winds finally shifted to come from the northwester later in the day on October 12th, and this dropped the temperatures around the state by 15-20°F. In fact, frosts are in the forecast for most of the state for this coming Friday night into Saturday morning. Following the record-setting warm temperatures of October 10, 11, and 12, te...
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Warm and Dry Start to October

Warm and Dry Start to October: Following the trend from September, through the first 8 days of October temperatures around Minnesota are averaging from 3°F to 6°F above normal. October 6 brought high temperatures in the 80s F to many areas in the state and included a reading of 88°F at Marshall (Lyon County). In the dry air of October, frosts have occurred in 18 northern and central counties, with many observers reporting low temperatures in the 20s F. Very dry air has been dominant in many areas of Minnesota, especially western counties where relative humidity values have been as low as 14 to 16%. Rainfall so far this month has been scarce, with many areas reporting less than a tenth of an inch. A few scattered thunderstorms have brought over an inch of rainfall to some areas. The observer in Northfield (Rice County) reported over 1 inch of rain on October 3rd. No snow has been reported in the state so far this month. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 33 percent of the sta...
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Climate Summary for September of 2026

Climate Summary for September of 2026: For the 4th consecutive year Minnesota recorded a very warm September. Most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature that was 3°F to 5°F above normal. Overall, with a statewide average monthly temperature of 61.7°F, this September ranked as the 10th warmest in state history. Extremes for the month were 95°F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on the 2nd, and 25°F at Celina (St Louis County) on the 22nd. Frosts occurred in 9 northern counties this month but were not present in the rest of the state. Within the statewide long term climate network, there were 11 high maximum daily temperature records broken or tied, including 91°F at Wells (Faribault County) on the 6th. Similarly, there were over 40 warm overnight daily minimum temperature records broken or tied, including 71°F at Austion (Mower County) on the 4th. In terms of rainfall, nearly all climate observers, except for a few in western counties, reported above normal amounts ...
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Welcome Rains

Welcome Rains: Since last Friday (September 11) many climate observers have reported significant rainfall. In fact, over 150 climate stations have reported receiving between 1.50 inches and 2.50 inches of rain. Portions of Wadena and Fillmore Counties reported over 3 inches of rain over the past week. There were even a couple of reports of daily record rainfall. Hokah (Houston County) reported a record 2.05 inches on September 15th, while Delano (Wright County) a record 1.70 inches on September 17th. Rainfall totals through the first 17 days of the month now exceed 3 inches in 20 Minnesota counties. Of further note, Friday will bring chances for significant rainfall across a wide area of the southern half of the state, and for the balance of the month, there will be more frequent chances for rainfall during the last week of the month. Drought conditions across the state remain a concern with 38 percent of the state in Moderate Drought, 29 percent in Severe Drought (a drop of 13 p...
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