Minnesota WeatherTalk

Preliminary Climate Summary for September: The weather for September was remarkable for record-setting unform warmth and for highly variable rainfall. Most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature that is 4°F to 6°F warmer than normal making this the warmest September in state history, surpassing that of 2015. During the month at least 173 daily maximum temperature records were tied or set within the state climate network with 14 official climate stations reporting at least one reading of 100°F or greater. In addition, 87 climate stations reported setting or tying daily warm minimum temperature records with some nights never dropping below 70°F. Yet more record-setting temperatures are expected for this Saturday, the last day of the month. September temperature extremes in the state ranged from 104°F at Theilman (Wabasha County) on the 5th to 27°F at Hibbing on the 13th. Rainfall was extremely variable across the state. Some areas received less than an inch of rain f

September Rainfall Deficits Growing, Adding to Drought: Since last week’s WeatherTalk Blog spotty rains have continued this week around the state. Those climate observers who reported rainfall found mostly 0.1 to 0.3 inches in their gages. A few spots reported over half an inch of rain. Temperatures since last Friday have averaged from 4 to 6 degrees above normal, and many climate stations have reported daytime high temperatures ranging from the mid 70s to upper 80s F. Though not record-setting a few climate stations reached the 90s F this week: 91°F at Milan (Chippewa County) on September 19 93°F at Browns Valley (Traverse County) on September 20 91°F at Marshall (Lyon County) on September 20 90°F at Wheaton (Traverse County) on September 20 Many regions of the state have already reported significant rainfall deficiencies this month, having received less than half an inch of rain. This amounts to 1.5 to 2.5inches below normal for many areas of the state. Combined with the accumu

Spotty Rains Continue: Rains over the second week of September were welcome, but highly spotty around the state, with north central and northeastern areas receiving the most. A number of northern climate stations reported over 1 inch of rainfall, while many southern counties reported less than a quarter inch of rainfall. A freakish, and thankfully relatively small strong thunderstorm passed across areas of Duluth, MN on Monday evening (September 11) dropping from 1 to 3 inches of rainfall in a very short period of time. The National Weather Service had to issue flash flood warning around 10:00 pm as torrents of water were pouring off the slopping hillsides of Duluth. I35 expressway through Duluth was closed for a time due to flooding. Some climate observers north and west of Duluth reported 3 to 4 inches of rainfall, and one observer reported over 6 inches of rain. The spotty rains of last week did not alleviate the spread of drought across the state. According to the U.S. Droug

Historically Hot Start to September: The first five days of September brought a Heat Wave to Minnesota that surpassed all previous climate records for the same period of time. MSP reported five consecutive days of afternoon high temperatures in the 90s F, tying records for maximum temperature on consecutive days (September 3-4) with readings of 97°F and 98°F, respectively. In addition MSP recorded over the same dates consecutive record warm minimum temperatures with readings of 75°F and 74°F. Over the same first five dates of the month the climate observer at Theilman, MN (Wabasha County) recorded daily high temperatures of 92°F, 103°F, 102°F, 104°F, and 95°F, setting records at that location as well. The reading of 104°F was the highest September temperature ever recorded in September for Wabasha County. During the first 5 days of the month there were 24 reports of 100°F maximum temperatures or greater within the state climate network. Within the state climate network, September

August Climate Summary: Average temperature for the month was generally from 1°F to 3°F warmer than normal at most climate stations, except for northeastern Minnesota, where the monthly average was near normal or slightly cooler than normal by 1 or 2 degrees. Many areas reported multiple days with 90°F temperatures, and at least 16 climate stations reported a day with 100°F or greater. Extreme values of temperature across the state ranged from 104°F at Winona airport on August 23 to just 36°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on the morning of August 27. During the month across the Minnesota official climate station network at least 69 daily maximum temperature records were set or tied, mostly over the Heat Wave of August 21-24. In addition, at least 49 record warm daily minimum temperature records were set or tied., including a very warm minimum temperature of 80°F at Lake Wilson (Murray County) on August 23. The stress of record-setting warm temperatures, especially during the Heat