Minnesota WeatherTalk

WeatherTalk is currently on hiatus. Mark Seeley will send the next WeatherTalk later this summer. Thank you!

Storminess Continues: Strong thunderstorms moved over portions of northern and central Minnesota during the past week, especially on July 11-12 (Mon-Tue). Rainfall totals from 5-7 inches occurred over portions of 10 central Minnesota counties, causing widespread flash flooding. Tornadoes caused some damage to homes, businesses, and farms in Meeker and Stearns Counties. Large hail was reported in 4 Minnesota Counties, the largest, 2.5 inch diameter near Mora. According to the Minnesota State Climatology Office the storm on July 11-12 was the largest mega-rain event since the Duluth flood of June 19-20, 2012. A mega-rain event is classified as a six-inch rainfall that covers at least a 1000 square miles, with a central core value of at least 8 inches. There have been only 13 such storms documented in Minnesota history, but 6 of these have occurred since 2002. You can read more about this weeks storms at the MN State Climatology Office . The largest rainfall reported from th

Storminess Continues: July 5th (Tuesday) brought severe thunderstorms to many parts of the state, with strong winds and large hail. There were reports of short-lived tornadoes in Swift and Wabasha Counties. At least 8 counties reported large hail (1 diameter or greater), and near Artichoke Lake (Big Stone County) hail stones up to 3 in diameter were observed. In addition 17 counties reported strong winds (60-80 mph), and some associated damage. Rainfall amounts from these storms were highly variable, with the largest amounts reported across a swath from west-central Minnesota through the Twin Cities Metro Area, and southeastern counties. Many observers recorded over 2 inches, and some reported new record daily amounts for July 5th, including: 4.51 at Morris, 2.14 at Artichoke Lake, and 1.77 at Moose Lake. Then on the July 6th Waseca reported a record 3.03 inches of rain,and on July 7th Park Rapids reported a new record daily rainfall of 2.11 inches. In many cases these record

Preliminary June Climate Summary: For most of Minnesota June was warm, with an average monthly temperature that ranged from 1 to 3°F greater than normal. A few areas of northern Minnesota reported slightly cooler than normal mean June temperature values. Extreme temperatures ranged from 100 degrees F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on the 12th to just 28 degrees F at Embarrass (St Louis County) on the 8th. A few days with dew points in the 70s F pushed the Heat Index above 100 degrees F at several locations and caused the National Weather Service to issue several Heat Advisories. Rainfall for the month was near normal in most areas, except for west-central counties, and some isolated areas of northwestern Minnesota in the Red River Valley, which reported less than normal rainfall for the month. Above normal rainfall was reported by some observers, especially in southeastern and northeastern areas. Eveleth, Tower, Brimson, and Two Harbors reported over 7 inches for the mo