Preliminary Climate Summary for November 2020:
In contrast to October, this November was very much warmer than normal. Most climate stations report an average monthly temperature that ranges from 4 to 6°F above normal. This means that November of 2020 will likely rank among the top 7 warmest in Minnesota history back to 1895.
The week of November 3-9 was the warmest week in November history here. Within the state climate observation network over 200 daily record maximum temperatures were recorded, along with over 120 record warm daily minimum temperatures. For the first time in history Minnesota recorded 4 days during November when the daily maximum temperature reached 80°F or greater. On the 4th, the 5th, and the 7th, new all-time state temperature records were set with readings of 84°F, 82°F, and 80°F. Extremes for the month ranged from 84°F at Granit Falls (Yellow Medicine County) on the 4th to -2°F at Camp Norris (Lake of the Woods County) on the 13th.
Precipitation for the month was highly variable, ranging from less than 1 inch in some western and northern counties, to over 2.5 inches in some parts of southeastern and northeaster Minnesota. Total snowfall amounts around the state ranged from just a trace in some southern and western areas to over 19 inches at Duluth. Most of the snowfall came over November 10-11 when 23 climate stations reported setting new daily record snowfall amounts, ranging from 4 to 9 inches.
The other weather feature of the month was sunshine. This was one of the sunnier Novembers, as a third of the days brought mostly sunny conditions to the state. November is historically the cloudiest month of the year, so this feature was very welcome.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
This week’s AGU-EOS bulletin features a short article explaining the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2019-2020 and how its features were regulated in part by the stratospheric polar vortex and the \Arctic Oscillation patterns.
This week the BBC features a film about how the railways in the United Kingdom, Australia and India are tapping into solar arrays for some of their power and moving towards a greener future.
Researchers have been following vegetation trends across the planet's driest areas using satellite imagery from recent decades. They have identified a troubling trend: Too little vegetation is sprouting up from rainwater in developing nations, whereas things are headed in the opposite direction in wealthier ones. As a result, the future could see food shortages and growing numbers of climate refugees. Science Daily reports on this study from the University of Copenhagen.
MPR listener question:
We live in Marshall, MN (Lyon County) and earlier this month recorded three days in a row with a high temperature of 80°F on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of November. Two questions: have we ever recorded 80 degrees F in November before, and is the 7th the latest date to do so?
Answer:
There is only one other time when Marshall has seen an 80°F temperature in November. That occurred on November 1, 1938 when the afternoon temperature hit 80°F. November 7th is the latest ever autumn date for such a temperature in the Marshall climate record.Twin Cities Almanac for November 27th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 34 degrees F (plus or minus 10 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 20 degrees F (plus or minus 10 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for November 27th:
MSP records for this date include: highest daily maximum temperature of 64 degrees F in 1998; lowest daily maximum temperature of 7 degrees F in 1930; lowest daily minimum temperature of -13 degrees F in 1872; highest daily minimum temperature of 37 degrees F in 1962; record precipitation of 0.90 inches in 1905. Record snowfall is 4.9 inches in 1983.
Average dew point for November 27th is 17°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 44°F in 2005; and the minimum dew point on this date is -14 degrees F in 1996.
All-time state records for November 27th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 71 degrees F at Fairmont (Martin County) in 1998. The state record low temperature for this date is -31 degrees F at Argyle (Marshall County) in 1887. The state record precipitation for this date is 2.75 inches at Pine River (Cass County) in 1988. Record snowfall is 24.0 inches at New London (Kandiyohi County) in 2001.
Past Weather Features:
November 27, 1887 was likely the coldest in state history. Temperatures in the minus twenties prevailed across portions of central and northern Minnesota. It was -12°F as far south as Rochester. The daytime high at Moorhead only reached -4°F.
November 27, 1998 was the warmest in state history with most climate stations reporting afternoon high temperatures in the 60s F. Both Fairmont and Amboy reached 70 degrees F. Many area golf courses were open for business.
Outlook:
A sunny weekend starting out very warm on Saturday with perhaps some highs in the 50s F, may be even 60°F in western Minnesota. Continued sunny on Sunday, but much cooler with temperatures closer to normal. Generally sunny and dry all of next week with temperatures a few degrees above normal.
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