A Very Wet Start to June

A Very Wet Start to June:

June of 2024 has begun warmer than normal, but also much wetter than normal. A number of climate stations have reported measurable rainfall on each of the first 6 days of the month, and at least 20 climate observers have reported 4 or more inches of rainfall so far. This weather pattern follows a wetter than normal April and May which was the 4th wettest in state history. As a result, many soils are saturated, and according to USDA reports over 90 percent of the soils have adequate to surplus soil moisture stored. Some farmers have had to replant crops in some cases where fields have washed out.

Thunderstorms brought 10 record-setting daily rainfalls to long-term climate stations in Minnesota on June 3rd. Some of these included:

2.22 inches at Artichoke Lake (Big Stone County)
2.88 inches to Theilman (Wabasha County)
2.57 inches to Delano (Wright County)
1.80 inches to Brainerd (Crow Wing County)

With all the surplus rainfall over the past two months, the Drought Monitor shows that only 2 percent of the Minnesota landscape is drier than normal. The excessive rainfall has also caused the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings this week (for minor flooding) along portions of the Crow Wing River, the Minnesota River, and the Red River.

Outlooks through the third week of June continue to favor warmer than normal temperatures with above normal rainfall. So June may be the 3rd consecutive wetter than normal month for the state.

Change in broadcast time on MPR:

For those listeners to Minnesota Public Radio’s Morning Edition program on Fridays, there is a change in the broadcast time for my weekly chats with host Cathy Wurzer. Formerly our chats were broadcast live each Friday, from 6:54am to 6:59 am. But, starting on Friday, June 7th, our weekly weather/climate chats will be broadcast at 6:47am. I hope listener will adjust to this time change. Should you miss the live broadcast, you can often find the audio recording at the MPR Morning Edition web site.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

According to the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, the United Kingdom recorded its warmest ever month of May. The largest positive temperature departures were in northern sections, especially Scotland. The overall warmth was especially influenced by higher than normal nighttime temperatures. It was also the warmest meteorological spring (March-May) in history.

The Weather Underground features an article this week describing the use of ice immersion therapy to treat heatstroke victims in the Phoenix, AZ area, which is part of the dessert southwest that has been under an Excessive Heat Warning by the National Weather Service this week. Many communities have reported daily high temperatures from 106°F to 115°F. This therapy has great promise for treating victims of heat.

A recent article from the AGU describes research that shows climate change will provoke more air quality alerts due to ground level ozone pollution. One of their findings is that “climate change is projected to increase the magnitude and frequency of high O3 concentrations across much of the country, increasing average 1-year O3 by close to 2 ppb at mid-century and end of century relative to the historical simulation.”

MPR listener question:

We are wondering how often in the Twin Cities we have started the month of June with five consecutive days of rainfall? Is this quite rare?

Answer:

In 154 years of climate record keeping this has happened just 15 times including this year. The last time was in 2010. Of the 14 previous occasions of June starting with 5 consecutive rainy days, 9 of those ended up with above normal rainfall for the month.

Twin Cities Almanac for June 7th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 77 degrees F (plus or minus 9 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 58 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for June 7th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 103 degrees F in 2011; lowest daily maximum temperature of 55 degrees F in 1901; lowest daily minimum temperature of 35 degrees F in 1998; highest daily minimum temperature of 78 degrees F in 2011, and record precipitation of 2.91 inches in 1984. No snowfall has occurred on this date.

Average dew point for June 7th is 54°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 72°F in 1914; and the minimum dew point on this date is 30 degrees F in 1938.

All-time state records for June 7th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 106 degrees F at Pipestone (Pipestone County) in 1933. The state record low temperature for this date is 19 degrees F at Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) in 1889. The state record precipitation for this date is 4.92 inches at Maple Plain (Hennepin County) in 1888. The state snowfall record is 4.6 inches at Virginia (St Louis County) in 1946.

Past Weather:

Many Minnesota residents awoke to a frosty morning on June 7 of 1897. Frost occurred as far south as Dakota and Goodhue Counties. Northern areas of the state reported morning low temperatures in the mid to upper 20s F. Frost damage was reported on many crops. The daily high temperature only reached 50°F at Milaca.

Strong thunderstorms brought 2 to 4 inches of rainfall to many parts of the state on June 7 of 1941. Crookston (Polk County) reported nearly 5 inches of rain, which flood out some fields of emerged crops. Many areas of the state reported 7-8 inches of rainfall that June.

Scorching heat prevailed across Minnesota on the afternoon of June 7 in 2011. Over 30 climate stations reported a temperature of 100°F or greater, Most other areas of the state saw temperatures in the 90s F, but the afternoon high at Beaver Bay only reached 59°F due to the cooling powers of Lake Superior.

Outlook:

A slight chance for showers early on Saturday, then sunny and breezy through the weekend with near seasonal temperatures. Near seasonal temperatures will continue through Tuesday, with small chances for showers late Monday and into Tuesday. A significant warming trend will begin on Wednesday and continue towards the end of next week, bringing above normal temperatures to Minnesota.