Coldest Temperatures of the Fall Came this Week:
Many communities around the state reported the coldest temperatures of the Fall Season during this week, especially on November 25-26. Scores of climate stations reported morning lows in the single digits. Fourteen climate stations in northern counties reported subzero low temperatures, including -5°F at International Falls, Warroad, and Warren, as well as -4°F at Kabetogama, Orr, and Hibbing. Furthermore, on some days this week the afternoon high temperatures remained in the teens and twenties. With moderate winds many areas reported subzero Wind Chill readings this week, including -16°F at Warroad.
The colder temperatures have promoted more surface ice formation on area lakes and shallow soil temperatures have dropped into the low 30s F. As a result, future storm systems that pass across Minnesota are more likely to deposit snow that will cover the ground and last longer.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
In this week’s AGU-EOS Bulletin there is an interesting article about how climate change brought about the extinction of the mammoth and other megafauna. Using ancient animal and plant DNR taken from sediments across the Arctic scientists reconstructed 50,000 years of the “mammoth steppe ecosystem.” They findings “implicate climate change—not overhunting by ancient humans—in the loss of the biome and in the extinctions of Pleistocene megafauna.”
The United Kingdom Met Office issued both Amber and Red Warnings for Storm Arwen (a strong mid-latitude cyclone) that is expected to affect portions of the United Kingdom on Friday and Saturday. Many areas may sea wind gusts from 60-100 mph, with high seas expected. Some ferry services between England and Ireland have been cancelled as a result of this exceptional storm.
MPR listener question:
The City of Duluth will declare snow emergencies to better facilitate snowplowing and other services for the first time ever this coming winter (2020-2021). They are not using a formula or set of criteria to declare a snow emergency like the Twin Cities and others do but will treat the characteristics of each storm individually. Nevertheless, can you tell us how often Duluth reports a snowfall of 4 inches or greater?
Answer:
This will be an interesting approach to declaring snow emergencies. Hopefully it will work well. Historically Duluth has recorded some winters with no 4-inch or greater daily snowfalls, while in other winters they have seen as many as 12. Up until 1990 the average winter delivered about 3 or 4 storms that brought 4 or more inches of snowfall to Duluth. However since 1990 they have seen that average rise to 6 such storms.
Twin Cities Almanac for November 26th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 37 degrees F (plus or minus 10 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 23 degrees F (plus or minus 10 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for November 26th:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 62 degrees F in 1914; lowest daily maximum temperature of 10 degrees F in 1898; lowest daily minimum temperature of -16 degrees F in 1977; highest daily minimum temperature of 39 degrees F in 1909; record precipitation of 1.76 inches in 1896. Record snowfall is 5.9 inches in 2001.
Average dew point for November 26th is 20°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 52°F in 1909; and the minimum dew point on this date is -22 degrees F in 1977.
All-time state records for November 26th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 70 degrees F at Montevideo (Chippewa County) in 1914. The state record low temperature for this date is -37 degrees F at Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) in 1903. The state record precipitation for this date is 3.60 inches at Beaver (Winona County) in 1971. Record snowfall is 19.5 inches at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) in 2001.
Past Weather Features:
November 25-27, 1896 brought a strong and long-lasting winter storm to Minnesota. The storm system delivered rain, sleet, snow, hail, and even some thunderstorms to southern portions of the state. Many climate stations reported over 3 inches of precipitation, while in the northern counties four climate stations reported a foot or more of snow.
November 26, 1914 brought a feeling of September weather to many citizens as daily highs topped 60 degrees F under sunny skies. Many people spent some time outside on that Thanksgiving Day to enjoy the weather.
November 26, 1919 felt like late January across Minnesota with widespread subzero temperature readings. Many areas reported morning lows between -20°F and -30°F. The daily high temperature at Hallock (Kittson County) where they had a foot of snow on the ground only climbed to -10°F.
Outlook:
Near normal temperatures over the weekend with a chance for snow showers, especially in northern areas of the state. A warming trend will begin on Monday pushing temperatures to above normal for much of next week. It will also be dry for most of the week.
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