Record Warm Max/Min Temperatures on June 20-21:
The National Weather Service Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories that blanketed the state on June 20th this week certainly were validated by the climate data. With dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s F and air temperatures from the mid 90s F to slightly over 100°F, Heat Index Values soared, ranging from 100°F to 110°F in places. There were at least 17 daily high maximum temperature records set or tied within the state climate network. Some of these included:102°F at Crookston
101°F at MSP and St Cloud
100°F at Benson and Browns Valley
99°F at Milan and Wheaton
98°F at Melrose
97°F at Red Lake Falls and Gaylord
96°F at Brainerd
95°F at Walker
The Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office provided a more detailed analysis of these warm and recording setting temperatures as well.
In addition, the high dew points held up the overnight minimum temperature values, many of which set records for warmth. Within the state climate network, there were at least 30 warm minimum temperature records set or tied. Some of these included:
79°F at MSP and Milan
78°F at Marshall, Benson, and Brwons Valley
77°F at Collegeville, Gaylord, Mora, Pipestone, Tracy, and Wheaton
76°F at Crookston
63°F at Tower (usually one of the coldest spots in Minnesota)
After a relatively cool first half of June, temperatures since June 19th have averaged about 10 to 12 degrees F above normal around the state and most of the rest of June will see daily temperatures at least a few degrees warmer than normal.
The warmer than normal temperatures have been coupled with spotty rainfall across the state. Though most areas of the state are reporting below normal rainfall, some northern climate stations reported heavy thunderstorm rainfall on June 20 or 21, including:
2.67 inches at Isle (Aitkin County)
2.25 inches at Brainerd (Crow Wing County)
1.86 inches at International Falls (Koochiching County)
1.81 inches at Wright (Carlton County)
1.58 inches at Cass Lake (Cass County)
1.52 inches at Leech Lake (Cass County)
1.38 inches at Cloquet (Carlton County)
Yet, more heavy rainfall reports came into the State Climatology Office from strong thunderstorms across central Minnesota counties over June 23-24. Many observers reported amounts ranging from 2 inches to 5 inches.
The US Drought Monitor reported east-central and south-central counties of Minnesota are in the abnormally dry category now and would benefit from surplus rainfall. Meanwhile, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service Weekly Crop Condition Report for Minnesota over 75 percent of Minnesota soils show adequate stored soil moisture, and 17 percent show surplus stored soil moisture. So crops should not be at risk of moisture stress for a while.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
This week’s AGU-EOS Bulletin features an interesting article about the lack of quality climate data and communications systems impeding the analysis of weather patterns in Malawi, Madagascar, and Mozambique, as well as the transmission of warnings when severe weather threatens. Models suggest that these three countries are vulnerable to more frequent intense rainfalls as a result of climate change. But study of the historical context is almost impossible because of the lack of good, long-term climate stations.Reuters reported this week that strong monsoon winds helped trigger drenching rainfalls over Bangladesh that produced widespread flooding. Millions of people were displaced and up to 30 deaths reported. Some scientists suggest that increased rainfall intensities in the area are clearly a result of climate change.
Earlier this week, Linda Lam with the Weather Channel reported on the hottest temperatures ever observed in each state. It is an interesting article that shows how the western states can be so much warmer than the eastern states under extreme conditions. But what is not accounted for is the Heat Index which factors in humidity.
MPR listener question:
After learning earlier this week that the Twin Cities climate record back to 1873 (150 years) shows only 67 days when the temperature reached 100°F or greater, we wondered where in the state has the highest historical frequency of 100°F temperatures. We thought you’d know.Answer:
There are five places in west-central Minnesota with relatively long climate records that show the highest historical frequency of daily maximum temperatures of 100°F or greater.Beardsley (Big Stone County) and Browns Valley (Traverse County) combined have a 129 year climate record with 291 reports of daily maximum temperatures of 100°F or greater.
Canby (Yellow Medicine County) has a 107 year climate record with 191 such reports.
Milan (Chippewa County) has a 129 year climate record with 166 such reports.
Montevideo (Chippewa County) has a 131 year climate record with 135 such reports.
Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) has a 83 year climate record with 95 such reports.
I might further add that Madison, MN reported 24 days with daily maximum temperatures of 100°F or greater during the drought summer of 1988, and Beardsley reported 21 days with 100°F during the drought summer of 1936.
Twin Cities Almanac for June 24th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 81 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 63 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).MSP Local Records for June 24th:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 101 degrees F in 1988; lowest daily maximum temperature of 59 degrees F in 1928; lowest daily minimum temperature of 44 degrees F in 1972; highest daily minimum temperature of 76 degrees F in 1954; record precipitation of 2.36 inches in 1911. No snow has been reported on this date.
Average dew point for June 24th is 55°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 75°F in 2003; and the minimum dew point on this date is 29 degrees F in 1972.
All-time state records for June 24th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 110 degrees F at Browns Valley (Traverse County) in 1988. The state record low temperature for this date is 20 degrees F at Remer (Cass County) in 1985. The state record precipitation for this date is 7.60 inches at Browns Valley (Traverse County) in 2003. No measurable snowfall has occurred on this date.Past Weather Features:
June 24, 1985 brought morning low temperatures in the 30s to much of Minnesota. Observers at Tower, Remer, and Cotton reported frosts. The daytime high at Tower only reached 63°F.
The year 1988 brought the hottest June 24th in state history with over 30 Minnesota climate stations reporting an afternoon high of 100°F or greater. The coolest spot in the state was Grand Marais Harbor with a reading of 53°F.
An onslaught of thunderstorms brought damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, and flooding rains to many central Minnesota counties over June 21-25, 2003. Many observers reported over 6 inches of rain, and several reported over 8 inches. A tornado on June 24th caused a great deal of damage in Buffalo Lake (Renville County). Many farm fields were also flooded out by the heavy rains. The DNR State Climatology Office wrote up a detailed report of this storm.
Outlook:
A good chance for showers and thunderstorms across the state on Saturday, some lingering through early Sunday in northern sections of the state. Somewhat cooler temperatures next week, closer to normal or a few degrees above normal for this time of year. Chance for widely scattered showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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