Minnesota WeatherTalk

Some Record Snowfalls on December 23-24: After a long warm and dry period that started in November, Minnesota was hit by a strong storm system that delivered very high winds, blizzard conditions, along with rain, sleet, and snow across most areas of the state over December 23-24. Blizzard conditions prevented effective snow plowing in many areas of the state as the howling winds would quickly blow in snow from cleared roads. Hundreds of vehicle accidents were reported and in some areas motorists had to leave their vehicles and seek temporary shelter. Many areas of the state clocked wind gusts from 50 to 70 mph and reported damage to holiday light and ornament displays. The storm produced widespread snowfall amounts from 4 to 6 inches, with peak amounts reaching 9 to 10 inches. Some of Minnesota’s long term climate station reported new record daily snowfall amounts, including: 8.7” at MSP 9.5” at Two Harbors 8.0” at Owatonna 7.2” at Ely 7.0” at Babbitt 5.0” at Gunflint Lake In ad...

NOTE: I will not be heard on MPR’s Morning Edition news program again until January 8, 2021 because the format for that news program will be different for both Christmas Day and New Years Day. However, I will be posting Minnesota WeatherTalk Blog over the holiday season. 2020 Minnesota Climate Weather Review: As we wrap up the year 2020 it might be useful to review the episodes and events that the atmosphere produced across our state the past 12 months. Even without the final statistics for December, we can say that in general it was a warmer and drier than normal year for Minnesota. December may end up among the 5 or 6 warmest in history and may be among the 10 driest in history on a statewide basis. The statewide average precipitation for this month so far is only 0.03 inches. From a temperature standpoint three months of 2020 were colder than normal, two months were very close to normal, and 7 months were warmer than normal. Overall, the year 2020 will probably rank among the 1...

Very Warm Start to December: Through the first ten days of the month temperatures are averaging 9-12°F warmer than normal across the state, making this the warmest December since 2015 and among the 6 warmest first ten days of the month historically back to 1895. Some daily record temperatures have been set, but day-to-day the values have consistently been warmer than normal. The 50°F reading at Browns Valley (Traverse County) on the sixth was a new record high. Then on Wednesday and Thursday more record high temperatures were reported around the state, including: 55°F at Caledonia 52°F at Rochester and Walker 50°F at Litchfield, Long Prairie, and Two Harbors 49°F t Brainerd Several places in western Minnesota reached into the low to mid 50s F on Wednesday but fell short of setting any daily temperature records. In the Twin Cities where climate records go back to 1872, the average temperature for the first 10 days of December is nearly 10°F above normal, ranking as the 4th warmest fi...