Minnesota WeatherTalk

Wet October Will Wrap Up with Snow: Another wet week prevailed across much of southern Minnesota with rainfall totals over 1 inch in many locations. A few spots in southeastern Minnesota reported over 2 inches this past week and some long-term climate stations reported new daily rainfall records. For October 24 MSP reported a record 1.34 inches, Rochester a record 2.26 inches, and Minnesota City a record 1.40 inches. Then for October 25th there were several new daily record rainfalls reported, including: 4.17 inches at Winona Dam 2.15 inches at Lamberton 2.10 inches at Hastings Dam and St Peter 1.78 inches at Zumbrota 1.75 inches at Red Wing 1.56 inches at Faribault The 4.17 inches at Winona Dam on October 25th was a also a new statewide record for that date. Yet more significant rainfall was measured on October 26th but few record amounts were reported. Snow was also reported in northwestern Minnesota counties on October 26th and 27th. Some reports included: 8 inches at Lake Bronson...

Beneficial October Rains Continue: Rains over the past week were more widespread, with significant amounts (over 1 inch) in roughly the southern half of the state. Many areas reported over 2 inches of rainfall, and some over 3 inches. The most rain occurred at places like St James (Watonwan County) and Marshall (Lyon County) which reported over 4 inches. Over October 13 and 14 some long-term climate stations reported new daily record amounts of rainfall. A sampling: On October 13:  2.50” at Marshall 2.42” at Albert Lea 2.34” at Milan 2.31” at St James 2.23” at Lamberton 2.13” at Collegeville 2.00” at Winnebago On October 14: 1.87 inches at St James 1.43 inches at Owatonna 1.38 inches at Faribault 1.19 inches at Mora These rains boosted the monthly totals to over 4 inches at many locations and certainly put a dent in the drought that has persisted through the summer and autumn seasons. The area of the state in Moderate Drought or worse fell by 14 percent from the previous week...

Frosts more widespread, still dry, winds picking up: About 60 percent of Minnesota reported at least one frost over the past week, and many climate stations reported morning low temperatures in the twenties F. Up north Brimson reported 26°F and Embarrass 27°F, while in southeastern Minnesota Grand Meadow reported 24°F and Preston 22°F. Suffice to say the growing season has ended for many parts of the state. Little rain occurred over this past week, and most climate stations are well below normal for the month so far. However, widespread and welcome rains are expected over Friday and Saturday, perhaps as much as 2-3 inches in some places. With 60 to 70 percent of the state rated very short or short in stored soil moisture at the present time, the rains are likely to be absorbed readily by the landscape, a good sign. Crop harvesting will be disrupted for a few days by the rains, but farmers are making slow progress this month in getting corn and soybeans in storage. According to th...

Wet Conclusion to September Followed by Record Warm Start to October: As mentioned last week, on a statewide basis September delivered average rainfall that was above normal, the first month to do so since last April. For northeastern Minnesota counties, September was the 2nd wettest in history with average rainfall of nearly 7 inches. One observer near Duluth reported over 13 inches for the month. Conversely many parts of southwestern Minnesota reported less than 1 inch of rainfall for September, and places like Luverne, Pipestone, and Slayton reported less than three-quarters of an inch. A lion’s share of the rainfall occurred over the last week of the month, with many climate observers reporting rain every day of the week, totaling over 3 inches and in a few cases over 4 inches. On September 29 MSP reported a record-setting rainfall of 1.51 inches, and on the 30th Hastings Dam reported a record 1.10 inches. With the wet end to September came some soaring temperatures, providing ...