Preliminary Climate Summary for July of 2022

Preliminary Climate Summary for July of 2022:

July of 2022 was a warmer than normal month across most of Minnesota. Most climate observers report an average monthly temperature that ranges from 1°F to 2.5°F above normal. Extremes for the month ranged from 100°F at Granite Falls on the 18th to a morning low of 36°F at Embarrass on the 2nd. Although most July record high values of maximum and minimum temperature date from the 1930s in Minnesota a few climate stations set new daily record maximum temperature values this month, including Theilman (Wabasha County) on July 19th with a reading of 99°F. Some record warm nighttime values of temperature were reported as well, including a reading of 78°F pre-dawn at Baudette on July 20th. Minnesota did not report the nation’s lowest temperature even once during the month.

In terms of rainfall, July brought mostly below average values, but some portions of northwestern, northeastern, and southeastern Minnesota saw above normal accumulations. In the southeast portions of Fillmore and Mower Counties some climate stations received over 10 inches, over twice normal. In the northwest, portions of Kittson County reported 4 to 5 inches, well above normal there, while International Falls reported over 4.5 inches, and in the northeast Hibbing reported nearly 5 inches and Cook and Eveleth reported over 4.5 inches. Somewhat spotty, but severe thunderstorms dropped record daily amounts in a few spots, including 3.09 inches at Rochester on the 23rd, 4.05 inches at Spring Valley (Fillmore County) and 5.25 inches at Grand Meadow (Mower County) on the 24th. Many other climate stations reported less than 1.5 inches for the month.

As a result of the more widespread rainfall deficiency during the month, the area of the state designated to be in drought expanded. Now slightly over 30 percent of Minnesota is designated to be abnormally dry, while portions of 7 counties around the Twin Cities Metro Area and slightly southwest are in Moderate Drought. Crop condition assessments from the USDA put slightly less than two-thirds of the corn and soybean crops in good to excellent condition, a decline of about 25 percentage points since the beginning of the month.

July continued the year-long high frequency of windy days for many areas of the state. Many climate stations reported 10 or more days with wind gusts over 30 mph, while several also reported wind gusts over 40 mph. MSP reported 16 days with wind gusts of 30 mph or greater, while Moorhead reported 14 such days and Duluth 13 days.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in St Louis reported extensively on the historic flash flooding that took place in that vicinity over July 26th (Tuesday). Several observers reported 8-12 inches of rainfall, most of which occurred over an 8 hour period. St Peters, several miles northwest of St Louis reported nearly 13 inches of rainfall. Many roads, highways and portions of interstate were flooded for several hours.

Then on Thursday, July 28th intense thunderstorms brought widespread heavy rainfall to Kentucky causing record-breaking flash flooding. Climate stations in eastern Kentucky reported 4 to 10 inches of rainfall which caused some landslides and power outages as well as flooding. The Weather Underground reported on how unusual this storm system was.

According to the BBC, the United Kingdom Met Office is reporting that the first half of 2022 (Jan-Jun) was the driest in England since 1976. Water conservation practices are being encouraged and a national drought planning and mitigation group is meeting to contemplate what other policies or practices might help. The southeast of England has been especially dry.

MPR listener question:

Up hear near Bigfork in Itasca County we have had only 5 small rainfalls this month, which brought less than 1 inch of total rain. We were wondering what is the driest July for our neck of the woods in northern Minnesota?

Answer:

Since 1887 there have been five Julys that did not bring even an inch of rainfall to Itasca County. Those were 1894, 1933, 1936, 1939, and 2021. The lowest amount was just 0.49 inches in 1894. There is a pretty good chance you will get a bit more rainfall this weekend to close out the month, so I doubt that you will remain under 1 inch of rainfall for all 31 days of July.

Twin Cities Almanac for July 29th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 83 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 65 degrees F (plus or minus 6 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for July 29th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 98 degrees F in 1999; lowest daily maximum temperature of 70 degrees F in 1996; lowest daily minimum temperature of 47 degrees F in 1971; highest daily minimum temperature of 80 degrees F in 2006; record precipitation of 1.11 inches in 1989. No snow has been reported on this date.

Average dew point for July 29th is 60°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 79°F in 1955; and the minimum dew point on this date is 35 degrees F in 1936.

All-time state records for July 29th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 115 degrees F at Beardsley (Big Stone County) in 1917. The state record low temperature for this date is 25 degrees F at Sawbill Camp (Cook County) in 1935. The state record precipitation for this date is 5.75 inches at Winona Dam (Winona County) in 2011. No measurable snowfall has occurred on this date.

Past Weather Features:

The warmest July 29 in state history was in 1917 when temperatures over 90°F occurred in almost every corner of the state. Fourteen counties reported temperatures over 100°F, with Beardsley (Big Stone County) reporting the all-time state highest reading of 115°F. For many places event he overnight low temperature remained at 80°F or above.

Most northern Minnesota climate stations reported morning low temperatures in the 30s F on July 29, 1925. In Virginia and Babbitt on the Iron Range, the afternoon high temperature only reached the mid 50s F that day.

On July 29, 1989 strong thunderstorms brought two to four inches of rain to many parts of west-central Minnesota. Some areas reported large hail and high winds as well. But crops generally survived and benefited from the added moisture.

Outlook: 

Mostly sunny and warmer over the weekend, with an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms on Sunday and Sunday night. A bit cooler on Monday and then a slight chance for showers again for Tuesday through Thursday, but mostly in northern sections of the state. Temperatures will begin warming well above normal next week, especially in southern Minnesota. A generally dry pattern is seen for the first week of August.