Minnesota WeatherTalk

Preliminary May Climate Summary With about an equal number of warmer than normal and cooler than normal days during the month, most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature for May that was very close to normal. Extremes ranged from 95°F at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) on the 1st to just 16°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on the 11th. Some daily maximum and minimum records were set with the erratic temperature behavior during the month. Thirty climate stations reported setting new daily high maximum temperatures (mostly in the 80s and 90s F). Rochester reported its highest May 1st temperature in history (128 years) with a reading of 91°F. Conversely over 60 climate stations reported setting new daily record cold minimum temperature readings during the month, including 22°F at International Falls on the 6th, 25°F at Zumbrota on the 11th, and 19°F at Cotton on the 28th. The majority of the record minimum temperatures were set on May 28th (see below). Total rai

Widespread Significant Rains: With strong southerly flow of air bringing in warmer temperatures and elevated dew points this week Minnesota has welcomed the most significant rainfalls in nearly four weeks. Many areas of the state have reported total rainfall ranging from 1.5 to 2 inches since late Tuesday. A few observers in Hennepin, Wright, Marshall, and Cook Counties reported receiving over 2 inches. Near the Tamarac Refuge in western Marshall County there was a report of over 4 inches of rainfall. The most intense rainfalls came late on May 19th and were even accompanied by a few weak tornadoes in southern Minnesota. Areas of Steele, Rice, and Scott Counties reported brief tornado touchdowns during the evening hours, with some damage to trees. Fortunately, the thunderstorm cells did not produce any hail or downburst winds. More detail on the rains and storms this week can be found at the Minnesota State Climatology Office web site. Dew points rose into the 60s F on Wednesd

 Cool and Dry Pattern Ending: The weather pattern which brought 11 consecutive days of cooler than normal temperatures with no rainfall is finally breaking down. Many parts of the state reported afternoon high temperatures in the 70s F on Thursday (May 13) of this week and dew points rose from the teens and twenties into the thirties F. More frosts were reported this week over May 11 and 12, with some as far south as Windom and Marshall. All the forecast models suggest a change to a wetter and warmer pattern begins this weekend and should last until the end of the month. The rains will be most welcome as most of the annual major crop acreage has been planted and would benefit from additional moisture. Temperatures will average above normal too for the rest of the month with many daytime highs in the 80s F. Weekly Weather Potpourri: According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center a moderately strong Tropical Cyclone will bring rains, high winds and high surf to portions of India and

May Starts Hot, Then Goes Cold: After starting the month with record or near-record setting maximum temperatures on May 1st, the weather pattern has cooled considerably and dried out as well. Most places in the state saw daytime highs reach the mid 70s F to upper 80s F on May 1st. Over 20 climate stations (mostly western and southern Minnesota) reported afternoon maximum temperatures of 90°F or greater. At least 23 climate stations set or tied record high temperatures including: Granite Falls 95°F Artichoke Lake and Winnebago 94°F Worthington and Redwood Falls 93°F St James and Windom 92°F Rochester, Albert Lea, and Austin 91°F Grand Meadow and Brainerd 89°F Hastings and Browns Valley 88°F Floodwood 83°F Thorhult 82°F Hibbing 81°F Following the hot start to the month, a series of cold fronts and northwesterly flow brought temperatures down dramatically to cooler than normal levels. By May 4, 5, and 6 a majority of Minnesota counties had seen frost occur, with many places reporting