Minnesota WeatherTalk

Through the first 25 days of November temperatures have been averaging well above normal.  It is likely that this month will conclude in a manner that will rank it among the top three warmest Novembers in Minnesota history, likely falling short of the warmest ever which occurred in 2001.  Over 40 communities reported at least one day this month with an afternoon temperature of 70°F or higher.  In all 33 new daily maximum temperature records were set within the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Network in Minnesota, and 145 daily warm minimum temperature records were set, a remarkably large number.  No low temperature records were set anywhere in the state this month.  The coldest measured temperature so far this month in the state is -1°F at Cotton (St Louis County) and Isabella (Lake County) on November 22nd.

With additional precipitation in the forecast for some areas on Thanksgiving and again for the end of the month, this Sunday into Monday, most climate observers in …

Big Transition Week Weatherwise:
Thursday, November 19 brought the first cooler than normal temperatures to many parts of Minnesota in 20 days, as daily temperatures fell into the 20s and 30s F with windchill values dropping into the single digits and teens. During the prolonged warm finish to October and first 18 days of November many climate observers reported record warm daily maximum temperatures, 24 in total.  Among the more recent daily  maximum temperature records set just this week were: 60°F at Thief River Falls (Pennington County) on November 15th; 61°F at Ottertail (Otter Tail County) on November 16th; 64°F at Ada (Norman County) on November 16th; and 54°F at International Falls on the 18th (tied record from 2012).

Not surprising with extensive and persistent cloud cover, southerly winds, and high dew points many climate stations set new record warm daily minimum temperature records, 108 records tied or broken in the first 17 days of November.  Among the record warm daily …

Warm November in Historical Context: So far this month temperatures around the state are ranging from 9 to 12°F warmer than normal, on track to break the record for the warmest November in state history, which occurred in 2001.  The three warmest Novembers in state history have all occurred in the last 16 years (2001, 2009, and 1999).  From a trend standpoint 12 of the most recent 16 Novembers have been warmer than normal in Minnesota, so this year is certainly following the trend.

In the Twin Cities climate records 2001, 2009, and 1999 were the three warmest Novembers in history with 94 percent of all days in those months recorded as above normal temperatures.  So far this month through the first 12 days, all daily mean temperatures have been well above normal in the Twin Cities with six days reaching a temperature of 60°F or greater, the most since 2001 (13).  In 2001 after prolonged warmer than normal conditions (13 days with daytime temperatures of 60°F or higher) the weather tur…

Very warm conditions prevailed around the state over the first several days of November. At least 15 climate stations have reported a daytime high temperature this month of 70°F or higher, topped by 78°F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on the 3rd. The warmth reached as far north as Hibbing where it reached 64°F on the 3rd, while some western Minnesota observers (Canby, Appleton, and Madison) reported three consecutive afternoons with highs in the 70s F this first week of November which last happened in 1999 and 1975.

High dew points were also noteworthy as MSP tied the record highest dew point on November 4th with a reading of 55°F and broke the record high dew point on November 5th with a reading of 56°F. The high dew points prevented overnight temperatures from dropping to normal values for this time of year, so consequently some climate stations reported new record warm minimum temperatures on November 4th as well including 51°F at Collegeville, 47°F at Park Rapids and Alexand…