Record Temperatures from the First Half of June:
For only the third time in state history June 1-15 brought a statewide mean temperature over 70°F. Here are the top 3 warmest June 1-15 periods based on statewide averaging:1. 2021 73.4°F
2. 1988 71.1°F
3. 1976 70.9°F
The associated statewide average rainfall for the first half of June with these three years:
0.47 inches in 2021
0.62 inches in 1988
1.93 inches in 1976
Both 1976 and 1988 produced mid to late summer severe drought across much of the state. So far, a number of climate stations in Minnesota are averaging 80°F or greater for the month. The second half of June will see some moderation in temperature, and even a few days that bring below normal values. But it is likely this June as a whole will be ranked among the top three warmest in history.
Within the Minnesota climate network 233 daily maximum temperature records were set or tied during the first half of the month, including some that touched the century mark:
101° at Georgetown (Clay County) on June 4 and 5
101°F at Artichoke Lake (Big Stone County) on June 5, 100°F on June 10
100°F at Park Rapids (Hubbard County) on June 4
102°F at Crookston (Polk County) on June 5
104°F at Milan (Chippewa County) on June 5, and 102°F on June 6
101°F at Red Lake Falls (Red Lake County) on June 5
102°F at Redwood Falls (Redwood County) on June 5
103°F at Benson (Swift County) on June 6, 100°F on June 9, 101°F on June 10 and 11
103°F at Browns Valley (Traverse County) on June 6, 100°F on June 11
101°F at Canby (Yellow Medicine County) on June 6
102°F at Lamberton (Redwood County) on June 6
101°F at Litchfield (Meeker County) on June 6, 100°F on June 11
102°F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on June 6
102 at Marshall (Lyon County) on June 6, 100°F on June 11 and 12
100°F at Theilman (Wabasha County) on June 6, 100°F on June 11
100°F at Tracy (Lyon County) on June 11
Also, within the state climate network there were 197 record warm minimum temperatures reported during the first half of the month, including many readings in the low to mid 70s F. Dew points slowly climbed into the 60s F and even low 70s F producing Heat Index Values over 101°F in some places.
The first half of June brought much less than normal rainfall to most places in Minnesota. Over half of the stations in the climate reporting network have reported less than a quarter of an inch for the month, and some places have reported no measurable rainfall. Rochester reported its first measurable rainfall (0.05”) this month on Thursday. The lack of rainfall combined with the warmer temperatures have accelerated the development of drought around the state. According to the US Drought Monitor over 55 percent of the Minnesota landscape is in at least moderate drought, and portions of 12 counties (south and west) are in severe drought. Further, according to the NOAA Drought Seasonal Outlook released on June 17 this week, drought is expected to persist across much of western and southern Minnesota through the month of September. The Palmer Drought Severity Index for Minnesota is nearing the lowest value it has been for this time of summer since 1988. The Minnesota inter-agency Drought Task Force has resumed meetings.
University of Minnesota Extension agronomists have provided some early assessment of what drought stress might do to the state’s major crops-corn and soybeans.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
The BBC reported on the dangerous Heat Wave in the southwest USA this week, including the states of UT, AZ, NV, and CA. Temperatures soared to well over 105°F in many places. Las Vegas reported 113°F while Phoenix and Tucson reported 115°F. Death Valley, CA reported 125°F with a low temperature of 91°F on June 16th.
According to the latest monthly global climate data from NOAA May 2021 was among the top-ten warmest Mays on record. Temperatures were much above average across parts of northern, western and southeastern Asia, Africa, northern South America and across parts of the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Indian Oceans. Temperatures were cooler than average across parts of North America, the eastern Pacific Ocean, central Europe, central Asia and India. Temperature for May in Minnesota was very nearly normal.
When animals are hot their food consumption goes down. According to research done by the Australian National University this means that climate change could be contributing to more deaths among Australia's iconic marsupials, like the greater glider, than previously thought. Even night-time temperatures can get hot enough to cause nocturnal animals to lose their appetite during heatwaves. You can read more from Science Daily.
MPR listener question:
With the drought taking hold this month across Minnesota we wondered has there ever been a month of June that delivered no rainfall?Answer:
There are a few cases reported of no measurable rainfall or only a trace of rainfall for the entire month of June. One of the more notable ones was just a trace of rainfall during June of 1910 at Rochester. That year and month also only produced 0.11 inches at Duluth, their lowest ever. June of 1988 brought only 0.05 inches of rain to St Cloud, 0.09 inches to Hutchinson, and 0.22 inches to the Twin Cities, all record low values. June of 2000 brought only 0.03 inches to Hallock (Kittson County) in the northern Red River Valley. All of those values really represent the extreme absence of rainfall in June historically.Twin Cities Almanac for June 18th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 80 degrees F (plus or minus 9 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 60 degrees F (plus or minus 6 degrees F standard deviation).MSP Local Records for June 18th:
MSP records for this date include: highest daily maximum temperature of 98 degrees F in 1953; lowest daily maximum temperature of 50 degrees F in 1876; lowest daily minimum temperature of 39 degrees F in 1876; highest daily minimum temperature of 74 degrees F in 1931; record precipitation of 1.14 inches in 1956. No snowfall has occurred on this date.
Average dew point for June 18th is 55°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 76°F in 1953; and the minimum dew point on this date is 37 degrees F in 2004.
All-time state records for June 18th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 106 degrees F at Beardsley (Big Stone County) in 1933. The state record low temperature for this date is 26 degrees F at Kelliher (Beltrami County) in 2001. The state record precipitation for this date is 5.15 inches at Faribault (Rice County) in 1956. No snowfall on this date.
Past Weather Features:
1933 brought the hottest June 18th in state history with almost everywhere in the state recording afternoon temperatures in the 90s F or higher. Seventeen climate stations hit or surpassed the century mark on the thermometer, topped by 106°F at Beardsley. Grand Marais harbor just saw a high of 59°F.
June 14-18, 1956 brought heavy rains to many parts of Minnesota as day after day produced afternoon thunderstorms. Many areas reported 4-5 inches of rainfall. Faribault (Rice County) reported over 8 inches of rain during that period, and there was widespread flooding.
Outlook:
Somewhat cooler temperatures on Saturday, but with increasing clouds later in the day. Good chance for showers and thunderstorms Saturday night and into Sunday. Continuing chance for showers on Monday, with much cooler temperatures. A few days of cooler than normal weather through Wednesday of next week, then increasing temperatures Thursday through Saturday. Some chance of showers towards the end of next week.
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