Minnesota WeatherTalk

Preliminary Climate Summary for October 202 A warmer than normal October prevailed across the state with most climate stations reporting a mean monthly temperature that ranged from 4 to 5 degrees F above normal. On a statewide basis October of 2021 will likely rank among the warmest 6 in history, while for the Twin Cities it will likely rank among the 10 warmest. Extremes ranged from 86°F at Milan on October 4th to just 16°F at Hibbing on October 24th. Within the state climate network 16 daily maximum temperature records were set or tied during the month, and 127 daily warm minimum temperature records were set or tied. Rainfall for October was highly variable. Generally north-central and northeastern sections of the state received more than most of the rest of the state, although portions of Swift and Big Stone Counties in western Minnesota reported 5-7 inches of total rainfall. Portions of southeastern Minnesota received less than normal rainfall, including Hokah and Wabasha wh

Fall Cool-Down Arrives: This past week brought the coolest temperatures of the fall so far to Minnesota. Over October 16-21 there were many mornings that brought frost to some parts of the state. In fact, well over 65 percent of the state landscape has recorded at least one frost now. Some of the coldest temperatures of the fall season occurred on October 21st and October 22nd with many areas reporting morning lows in the 20s F. Friday morning brought even more widespread frosts across the state with some readings in the low 20s to low 30s F. Hallock, Aitkin, and Bemidji all reported a low of just 19°F. The current pattern will bring a spell of days with cooler than normal temperatures. It is definitely time to break out the sweaters and sweatshirts and perhaps even start wearing knitted caps. Fall Chore Season: It appears that a cool-down weather pattern will last several days. Shallow soil temperatures will likely fall below 50°F in the next few days. Time for gardeners to

Near Record Warmth for First Half of October: Temperatures have continued well above normal through the first two weeks of October. Most areas have reported average temperatures from 10 to 12 degrees F warmer than normal. Over 120 warm daily minimum temperature or warm daily maximum temperature records have been set within the state climate station network. For the first two weeks of the month at MSP airport the average temperature ranks as the third highest in history (back to 1872), trailing only October of 1879 and 2011. Further north it has been even warmer in a historical context as International Falls reports their warmest first two weeks of October in history, beating the old record from 1920. Most areas of the state have yet to report a frost this autumn season. Both Mora and Hinckley reported frost on Friday morning (October 15). The first widespread threat for frost around the state may come on Saturday morning. Several areas of western and northern Minnesota (some in t