Minnesota WeatherTalk

More Rain in May: Wednesday and Thursday brought more rainfall to many parts of the state. May climate stations reported from a third of an inch up to 2 inches of rainfall. In southeastern Minnesota, both Rochester with 1.53 inches on May 25th and Minnesota City with 1.80 inches on May 26th set new daily rainfall records. Almost every area of the state is reporting above normal rainfall for the month. Climate observers in Benton, Stearns, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Wright, and Renville Counties have reported over 7 inches of rainfall so far this month. And at least 74 climate stations in Minnesota have reported setting one new daily rainfall record this month. Collegeville (Stearns County) reported 5 inches of rainfall on May 12 which was a new all-time statewide record for the date. Many other climate stations have reported new daily rainfall records ranging between 1.5 and 3.5 inches. Grand Rapids reported 3 inches of snowfall on May 15th which was a new record for the date. Most ...

Let's Declare May as "Hail Month": After writing so much about severe thunderstorms that brought hail and wind damage to Minnesota last week, this Thursday, May 19 produced the most single day hail reports so far. There were 98 reports of large hail (1” diameter or greater) spread over ten counties, mostly in east-central and southeastern Minnesota. Some hail near Albert Lea ranged up to 3 inches in diameter. Many areas of the Twin Cities reported marble to ping pong sized hail stones, that shredded tree leaves and temporarily blocked up storm drains. These reports of large hail added to the monthly total. According to the NOAA-Storm Prediction Center Minnesota has filed over 280 reports of large hail (1 inch diameter or bigger) over six dates this month. That is a large number even for an annual total of reports. Some of the storms bringing large hail on Thursday, May 19th also brought heavy rainfalls, ranging from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, especially in southeaste...