Minnesota WeatherTalk

Preliminary Climate Summary for May: Most observers reported an average monthly temperature that was 1°F to 3°F above normal. There were a few northern Minnesota communities that reported slightly cooler than normal average temperature for May. Extremes ranged from 92°F at Granite Falls on the 17th and at Marshall on the 18th to just 22°F at White Rock Dam in Traverse County on May 5th. May brought above normal rainfall to most areas of the state. In fact many observers reported twice the normal rainfall for the month, and over 190 climate stations reported over 6 inches of rain for the month. A dozen climate stations reported over 8 inches of rain for the month. Thunderstorms brought record-setting daily rainfall amounts over May 21-22 to 54 climate stations during the month. Some of these included: 3.78 inches at Milan on the 21st 2.85 inches at Wolf Ridge ELC on the 22nd 2.73 inches at Red Wing Dam on the 22nd 2.71 inches at Rosemount on the 22nd 2.33 inches at MSP on the 21s

May Wetness Continues: Widespread strong thunderstorms brought significant rains to much of the state this week on May 20 and 21, especially southern and northeastern Minnesota counties. Many climate observers reported from 1.25 inches to 2.50 inches from these storms, and a few places reported over 3 inches. With these storms, there were two tornadoes reported (near Fairmont and Winona), 34 reports of damaging winds (over 60 mph), and thankfully no large hail reports. Several long-term climate stations reported record-setting daily amounts of rain, including: Duluth 1.42 inches Brainerd 1.71 inches Hibbing 1.76 inches Tower 2.20 inches Two Harbors 2.12 inches Milan 3.78 inches Artichoke Lake 2.26 inches Red Wing 2.32 inches Hastings 2.12 inches Zumbrota 1.86 inches Further details on the storms of May 20 and 21 may be found on the Minnesota State Climatology Office web site. Average total rainfall for the month across the state is about 4 inches already but varies widely. For exam

May Climate Update: Minnesota farmers took advantage of the recent preponderance of dry days and rapidly advanced their planting progress. Over two-thirds of the state corn crop and over a third of the state soybean crops have been planted. Soil moisture recharge has been very good this spring around most of the state, with over 80 percent of the state reporting adequate to surplus stored soil moisture conditions (according to USDA Crop Condition reports). Rains this week of over half an inch were beneficial to parts of western and southern Minnesota fields. Over an inch and a half of rain fell in portions of Clay, Nobles, and Houston Counties. Dew points also hit seasonal high points this week reaching the mid to upper 50s F prior to the rains on May 15th. With near seasonal or above normal temperatures prevailing, crops are readily germinating and emerging in only a few days. Mother’s Day (last Sunday brought the warmest temperatures since April 13th when it was 90°F at Granit

May Starts Wet: Most climate stations have reported numerous days with rain already this month. Well over 100 observers have reported over 2 inches so far this month, while observers in 8 counties (mainly SE MN) have reported over 3 inches. Rainfall totals in portions of Freeborn and Wabasha Counties already are close to the average values for the month of May (over 4 inches). Daily rainfalls of an inch or more fell in some places over the first dew days of the month, as well as on May 7th. Some long-term climate stations even reported daily record rainfalls, such as Hallock in Kittson County (still in the grip of Severe Drought) where they reported 1.02 inches of rain on May 3rd. Thanks to widespread significant rains in late April and early May, the area of Minnesota designated to be in Moderate to Extreme Drought has shrunk to just 11 percent, down over 30 percent from earlier in the spring.. Temperatures so far this month are moderate, averaging about 1°F to 2°F above normal

Climate Summary for April: The month of April was modestly warmer than normal and much wetter than normal. Temperature-wise, most climate stations reported an average monthly temperature that was 2°F to 4°F above normal and April was the 9th consecutive month with above normal monthly temperatures across the state. Extremes for the month ranged from 90°F at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) on the 13th to just 5°F at Baudette (Lake of the Woods County) and Tower (St Louis County) on April 1st. Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states just twice during the month. Precipitation (almost entirely rainfall) was above normal at nearly all locations in the state, with about a third of the days bringing measurable rainfall. A large area of the state reported 3 to 5 inches of rainfall during the month, in many cases twice the normal amount. Parts of Stearns, Lac Qui Parle, Kandiyohi, and Wright Counties reported over 6 inches. Within the statewide climat