Potential Record Driest June for Some:
Last weekend brought some welcome rain to many parts of the state. Though highly variable, many areas received over half an inch, while others, especially in southern and eastern counties reported between 1 and 1.5 inches. On the high-end portions of Steele and Winona Counties reported over 2 inches.
On the other hand, many western, far northern, and some central counties were left without rainfall, or with very little (less than a tenth of an inch). In fact, a number of long-term climate stations are threatening to set records for the driest month of June in their history. The list below shows some of them.
Browns Valley (Traverse County) for June so far 0.35”, record driest 0.57” in 1988
Jordan (Scott County) for June so far 0.22”, record driest 0.29” in 1988
Windom (Cottonwood County) for June so far 0.38”, record driest 0.96” in 1988
Willmar (Kandiyohi County) for June so far 0.27”, record driest 0.43” in 1900
Lamberton (Redwood County) for June so far 0.06”, record driest 0.77” in 1988
Worthington (Nobles County) for June so far 0.21”, record driest 0.60” in 1912
Winnebago (Faribault County) for June so far 0.22”, record driest 0.72” in 1988
Redwood Falls (Redwood County) for June so far 0.28”, record driest 0.37” in 1988
Many other locations around the state are reporting rainfall so far that would rank among their five driest Junes in history. For most of these areas the best chance for additional rainfall this month comes this weekend, with 30-50 percent probability. But some climate stations may not see any additional rainfall before the end of the month next Wednesday.
The latest Drought Monitor data shows that portions of 26 Minnesota counties are in Severe Drought, while overall at least 75 percent of the state landscape is in Moderate to Severe Drought. The geographic areas within the state which show Severe Drought are mostly in the south and west, similar to what 2012 and 1988 looked like. But the overall severity of the drought does not yet approach those summers. Unfortunately, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center Drought Outlook through September of this year shows a high probability of Drought persisting across southern and western areas of the state.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
This week Tom Di Liberto of NOAA wrote a summary of the Record Heat Wave in the Western USA earlier this month. Salt Lake City, Utah, tied its all-time record when temperatures hit 107 degrees on June 15, the last day of a three-day streak of high temperatures over 100 degrees. From June 13-19, high temperatures averaged 100 degrees. Billings, Montana, also tied its all-time high of 108 degrees. Several other locations in NM, CO, NV, AZ, CA, UT, WY, and MT set new high temperature records as well.
Also, the BBC reported on the intense Heat Wave in Eastern Europe this week which brought record temperatures to many cities. Record values were reported from parts of Estonia, Finland, and Russia. Moscow tied the all-time high temperature record for June with a reading of 95°F. Some heavy, intense thunderstorms followed the passing of the Heat Wave.
An expected Heat Wave will build in the northwestern USA (Oregon and Washington) and western Canada this weekend and may bring record-setting high temperatures for this time of year. Some areas will experience afternoon temperatures well over 100° and for two or more days. The Weather Channel reported more details on this.
And finally, in other heat related news this week’s AGU-EOS Bulletin highlights an article about the famous Heat Wave in Siberia during 2020 which set hundreds of high temperature records. The recent study finds that the exceptional temperatures seen in Siberia in the first half of 2020 would have been extremely unlikely without anthropogenic climate change. Reduced ice and snow cover features in northern Siberia contributed to the amplified warmth there as well.
MPR listener question:
I am a roofer in the Twin Cities area and in recent years give my crew more frequent breaks when the dew point is going to be 70°F or higher. Can you tell me how many days this has happened so far this month (June)?
Answer:
Yes, according to the NOAA data the Twin Cities dew point has registered 70°F or higher for some time of day on June 9, June 10, June 23, and June 24. The 72°F dew point on June 24 (Thursday this week) was the highest of the year so far.
Twin Cities Almanac for June 25th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 82 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 62 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for June 25th:
MSP records for this date include: highest daily maximum temperature of 98 degrees F in 1934; lowest daily maximum temperature of 63 degrees F in 1968; lowest daily minimum temperature of 46 degrees F in 1957; highest daily minimum temperature of 75 degrees F in 1901; record precipitation of 2.88 inches in 1978. No snowfall has occurred on this date.
Average dew point for June 25th is 55°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 76°F in 1943; and the minimum dew point on this date is 38 degrees F in 1940.
All-time state records for June 25th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 109 degrees F at Beardsley (Big Stone County) in 1933. The state record low temperature for this date is 25 degrees F at Kelliher (Beltrami County) in 2001. The state record precipitation for this date is 6.60 inches at Elk River (Sherburne County) in 2003. No snowfall on this date.
Past Weather Features:
June 25, 1933 marked the start of a six-day Heat Wave that ended the month. Temperature soared to record daily values several times during the week, with 21 climate stations reporting highs of 100°F or higher.
Cold temperatures prevailed across northern Minnesota on June 25, 1982. Many areas of Polk, St Louis, Roseau, and Kittson Counties reported morning lows from the low to mid 30s F. A few places even reported frost (31°F at Warroad).
A multi-day onslaught of thunderstorm complexes brought extraordinarily heavy rainfall and severe weather to central and southern Minnesota for the period June 21 through June 25, 2003. Rainfall amounts surpassed six inches in some areas of Kandiyohi, Renville, Meeker, Wright, Sherburne, Hennepin and Chisago counties during the week. A few areas reported over 8 inches. More details were reported by the Minnesota State Climatology Office.
Outlook:
Near normal temperatures over the weekend with a chance for widely scattered showers and thunderstorm on Saturday and most of Sunday. Continued chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Monday through Wednesday as well as temperatures remain near seasonal normals.
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