Large fluctuations in temperature continue:
January 18-20 (Tue-Thu) this week brought yet again some wide swings in temperature to the state. On January 18th many southern and southwestern communities reported afternoon temperatures from the low to mid 40s F. By Thursday morning most stations in Minnesota were registering subzero temperatures, including minus 30s F in northeastern counties. On January 20th a reading of -34°F at Celina 2E (St Louis County) was the coldest in the 48 contiguous states, and on January 21st a reading of -34°F at Embarrass and Kabetogama was the coldest as well. Minnesota has now reported the coldest daily temperatures in the 48 contiguous states 8 times this month.Daily fluctuations in temperature for January 19th were unusually large as well with Pipestone reporting a maximum temperature of 46°F and a minimum of -3°F and Kimball (Stearns County) reporting a maximum of 42°F and a minimum of -7°F. This time of year, the average daily range in temperature is from 15 to 22 degrees, not 45 to 50 degrees like Pipestone and Kimball reported. There have been large swings in temperature than this, but not many. On January 28, 1934 there was no snow cover Pipestone and they reported a record high of 54°F and a low of -4°F, for a 58°F swing in temperature.
These wide swings in temperature, especially above and below the freezing mark (32°F) are showing a stronger frequency over the past three decades in many parts of Minnesota. For example:
At Milan (Chippewa County) recording 40 or more consecutive winter days with the temperature remaining below 32°F used to have about a 10 percent historical frequency. This has only happened once since 1978 (a 2 percent frequency).
At Leech Lake (Cass County) recording 40 or more consecutive winter days with the temperature remaining below 32°F used to have about a 30 percent historical frequency. This has only happened 4 times since 1981 (about a 10 percent frequency).
Similarly for the Twin Cities recording 40 or more consecutive days with the temperature remaining below 32°F used to have about a 9 percent historical frequency. This has only happened once (winter of 1983) since 1978 (about a 2 percent frequency).
It is also interesting to note that 19 of the 31 statewide daily maximum temperature records for the month of January in Minnesota have been set since 1980, while only 6 statewide record low temperatures have been recorded since 1980.
Fifth National Climate Assessment: Midwest Chapter Public Engagement Workshop:
The date and time for this event is January 24, 2022, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.The National Climate Assessment, a major U.S. Government report published every four years, brings together scientists from across the country to summarize the state of the science on climate change and how it is impacting the people and places of the United States. Now, you can be a part of the process! This virtual event is free and open to the public. The information gathered in the workshop will help the authors decide which topics to cover in the Midwest Chapter of the 5th National Climate Assessment, on how climate change affects people and places in the United States. You can find out more details and register to participate by going to the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Events web site.
The 2022 Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards Event featuring Dr. Katharine Hayhoe:
The date and time for this event is January 31, 2022, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Discover and learn from the inspiring stories of adaptation right here in Minnesota. Special guest Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist for the Nature Conservancy, will join to help celebrate adaptation leadership across Minnesota.
The Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards, presented by the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) since 2014, celebrate exceptional achievements in leadership, education, research, policies and practices that improve resilience or climate justice through the development, advancement or implementation of climate adaptation strategies. This virtual event is free and open to the public.
You can learn more and register to participate in the virtual session by going to the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership web site.
This week’s AGU-EOS Bulletin describes a new study that explains the atmospheric mechanisms behind the wettest precipitation events that occur in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile and proposes that the water vapor travels from the tropical Amazon across oceans and mountains to reach the desert. The research shows that 40%–80% of the total precipitation that occurs between the coast and the Andean foothills is associated with moisture conveyor belts. This conveyor belt mechanism requires further study as it may be impacted by climate change in the Southern Hemisphere.
I could find no change in the frequency of recording daily maximum or minimum temperatures around the freezing mark (30-34°F). But I did find changes in the frequency of daily freeze-thaw cycles. These changes are not uniform, and they vary by month, and by geography.
Some results show:
-In southern Minnesota (Albert Lea) there has been an increase in the number of daily freeze-thaw cycles the last three decades for the months of November and December, but a slight decline in the months of February and March.
-In central Minnesota (Milan) there has been an increase in daily freeze-thaw cycles over the past three decades in the months of December, January, February, and March.
-In northern Minnesota (Leech Lake) there has been an increase in the daily freeze-thaw cycles over the past three decades only in the month of December, with other months holding steady or even showing a slight decline.
-In the Twin Cities there has been an increase in the daily freeze-thaw cycles over the past three decades in the months of December, January, February, and March, but a slight decline in November.
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 23 degrees F (plus or minus 14 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 8 degrees F (plus or minus 15 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for January 21st:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 48 degrees F in 1900; lowest daily maximum temperature of -17 degrees F in 1888; lowest daily minimum temperature of -41 degrees F in 1888; highest daily minimum temperature of 35 degrees F in 2017; record precipitation of 0.81 inches in 1917. Record snowfall is 15.8 inches also in 1917.
Average dew point for January 21st is 6°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 38°F in 1957; and the minimum dew point on this date is -35 degrees F in 1970.
January 21, 1888 brought arctic cold to the state as most climate observers reported morning low temperatures ranging from -35°F to -55°F. It was -41°F in the Twin Cities (coldest ever) and -39°F at Rochester.
A strong winter storm brought rain, sleet, and snow to Minnesota over January 21-22, 1917. Snowfall totals across southern Minnesota ranged from 12 to 24 inches. Trains were slowed or blocked for a time by large snow drifts.
Most people in Minnesota enjoyed a sunny afternoon on January 21, 1942 with temperatures in the 40s and 50s F. It reached 62°F at Canby, about 40 degrees F warmer than normal.
Discover and learn from the inspiring stories of adaptation right here in Minnesota. Special guest Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist for the Nature Conservancy, will join to help celebrate adaptation leadership across Minnesota.
The Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards, presented by the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) since 2014, celebrate exceptional achievements in leadership, education, research, policies and practices that improve resilience or climate justice through the development, advancement or implementation of climate adaptation strategies. This virtual event is free and open to the public.
You can learn more and register to participate in the virtual session by going to the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership web site.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
Economic growth goes down when the number of wet days and days with extreme rainfall increase. Researchers from Potsdam found that the manufacturing and service sectors are the most affected by this. The data analysis of more than 1,500 regions over the past 40 years shows a connection and suggests that increased daily rainfall driven by climate-change have the potential to harm the global economy. This study is published in the journal Nature.This week’s AGU-EOS Bulletin describes a new study that explains the atmospheric mechanisms behind the wettest precipitation events that occur in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile and proposes that the water vapor travels from the tropical Amazon across oceans and mountains to reach the desert. The research shows that 40%–80% of the total precipitation that occurs between the coast and the Andean foothills is associated with moisture conveyor belts. This conveyor belt mechanism requires further study as it may be impacted by climate change in the Southern Hemisphere.
MPR listener question:
With climate change going on, especially overall temperatures warming in the winter months, I wondered if the number of freeze-thaw cycles has changed month by month. Also wondered if we see more days around the 32°F freezing point (say 30-34 degrees F)?Answer:
Examining the climate data frequencies for a single number like the freezing point, 32°F is quite challenging because the variation is so extreme and driven by the presence or absence of snow cover as well as geography, and of course urbanization. But here is what I found.I could find no change in the frequency of recording daily maximum or minimum temperatures around the freezing mark (30-34°F). But I did find changes in the frequency of daily freeze-thaw cycles. These changes are not uniform, and they vary by month, and by geography.
Some results show:
-In southern Minnesota (Albert Lea) there has been an increase in the number of daily freeze-thaw cycles the last three decades for the months of November and December, but a slight decline in the months of February and March.
-In central Minnesota (Milan) there has been an increase in daily freeze-thaw cycles over the past three decades in the months of December, January, February, and March.
-In northern Minnesota (Leech Lake) there has been an increase in the daily freeze-thaw cycles over the past three decades only in the month of December, with other months holding steady or even showing a slight decline.
-In the Twin Cities there has been an increase in the daily freeze-thaw cycles over the past three decades in the months of December, January, February, and March, but a slight decline in November.
Twin Cities Almanac for January 21st:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 23 degrees F (plus or minus 14 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 8 degrees F (plus or minus 15 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for January 21st:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 48 degrees F in 1900; lowest daily maximum temperature of -17 degrees F in 1888; lowest daily minimum temperature of -41 degrees F in 1888; highest daily minimum temperature of 35 degrees F in 2017; record precipitation of 0.81 inches in 1917. Record snowfall is 15.8 inches also in 1917.
Average dew point for January 21st is 6°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 38°F in 1957; and the minimum dew point on this date is -35 degrees F in 1970.
All-time state records for January 21st:
The state record high temperature for this date is 62 degrees F at Canby (Yellow Medicine County) in 1942. The state record low temperature for this date is -58 degrees F at Rush City (Chisago County) in 1888. The state record precipitation for this date is 2.20 inches at Redwood Falls (Redwood County) in 1917. Record snowfall is 24.0 inches at Tracy (Lyon County) also in 1917.Past Weather Features:
January 21, 1888 brought arctic cold to the state as most climate observers reported morning low temperatures ranging from -35°F to -55°F. It was -41°F in the Twin Cities (coldest ever) and -39°F at Rochester.
A strong winter storm brought rain, sleet, and snow to Minnesota over January 21-22, 1917. Snowfall totals across southern Minnesota ranged from 12 to 24 inches. Trains were slowed or blocked for a time by large snow drifts.
Most people in Minnesota enjoyed a sunny afternoon on January 21, 1942 with temperatures in the 40s and 50s F. It reached 62°F at Canby, about 40 degrees F warmer than normal.
Outlook:
Cooler than normal temperatures continue over the weekend with chances for snow on Saturday night and Sunday night into early Monday. Continued cooler than normal for Monday through Wednesday next week, with some moderation in temperature on Thursday and Friday and a chance for snow.
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