Preliminary Climate Summary for August of 2024:
August will end with average monthly temperatures around the state that are near normal in many areas, especially some southern counties. But most other places reported an average monthly temperature that was 1°F to 2°F above normal. Extremes ranged from 95°F at Austin (Mower County) on August 26 to just 38°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on the morning of August 6. By far the hottest day of the month was Monday, August 26, when Heat Index values ranged from 101°F to 115°F across the state between 3pm and 5pm. The Heat Index hit 119°F at both St James (Watonwan County) and Preston (Fillmore County). Afternoon dew points were in 80s F in many places.
Rainfall for August was above normal across most of Minnesota. A few areas in far northern Minnesota, as well as some southwestern counties reported below normal rainfall. Many observers reported over 6 inches of rain, and within the statewide climate reporting network there were over 65 new daily rainfall records set during the month, with some daily amounts of 3 or 4 inches or more. Strong thunderstorms brought over an inch of rainfall to many areas during the evening of August 26, as well as the early morning of August 27. Many areas reported between 1 and 2 inches of rainfall. There was one brief tornado in Brown County, six reports of large hail, and 53 reports of damaging winds. The State Fairgrounds opened late on Tuesday, August 27th to accommodate clean up efforts from the damaging winds. Then August 29 brought more severe thunderstorms and heavy rains, along with a brief tornado near Isanti. Fortunately, there was only one report of large hail with these storms, but there were 23 reports of damaging winds. Many climate stations reported 1 to 2 inches of rain. Several others reported over 2 inches, including some new daily record amounts. Some of the records included:
1.99 inches at International Falls (Koochiching County)
3.50 inches at Indus (Koochiching County)
2.82 inches at Crookston (Polk County)
2.31 inches at Hokah (Houston County)
2.28 inches at Winona Dam (Winona County)
With the wetter than normal August, year-to-date precipitation remains on track to set an annual record in many areas of the state. Well over 325 climate stations in the state, including the Twin Cities have reported over 30 inches of precipitation for the year, with four more months to go. The statewide average precipitation for the year so far is just under 26 inches, which is close to the 100-year statewide average annual precipitation. The record wettest year was 2019 when the statewide annual precipitation average was 35.65 inches, according to NOAA.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
If you missed the broadcast of the 28th annual edition of the Minnesota State Fair Weather Quiz, you can find it on the web under Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota Now Programs. Cathy Wurzer and I had fun and hope the audience learned something about our weather and climate.Typhoon Shanshan brought torrential rains, damaging winds, and high seas to Kyushu, Japan this week. Evacuations were order for over 5 million citizens in the path of the storm. It was one of the strongest typhoons to ever hit Japan according to reports from the BBC. Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power.
As we enter the month of September, the Weather Channel features an article about the normal progression of fall colors across the country, as the trees and vegetation respond to the shortening days of autumn. The article highlights the effects of latitude and elevation on fall color onset, and points out how colors can be more vivid in years of high soil moisture content.
A new study published in the journal Nature Cities highlights efforts by coastal cities to adapt to climate change. The authors examined climate adaptation measures taken by 199 coastal cities and found disparities, mostly based on the economic health of the cities. More ecosystem based approaches may be necessary in the future to achieve better adaptation.
MPR listener question:
We were wondering what is the latest date on the calendar that a 100°F temperature has been reported in Minnesota?Answer:
Believe it or not, it was 101°F on September 22 of 1936 in Ada, MN (Norman County). The latest 90°F temperature was October 30 of 1950 at Canby, MN (Yellow Medicine County). Hard to believe a 90°F the day before Halloween!Twin Cities Almanac for August 30th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 78 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 60 degrees F (plus or minus 6 degrees F standard deviation).MSP Local Records for August 30th:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 96 degrees F in 1941; lowest daily maximum temperature of 60 degrees F in 1965; lowest daily minimum temperature of 45 degrees F in 1974; highest daily minimum temperature of 77 degrees F in 2010, and record precipitation of 7.28 inches in 1977. No snowfall has occurred on this date.
Average dew point for August 30th is 58°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 75°F in 1951 and the minimum dew point on this date is 34 degrees F in 1931.
All-time state records for August 30th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 103 degrees F at Minneota (Lyon County) in 1976. The state record low temperature for this date is 26 degrees F at Sawbill Camp (Cook County) in 1935. The state record precipitation for this date is 7.28 inches at MSP Airport (Hennepin County) in 1977. There has been no snowfall on this date.Anniversary of Historical Act:
Today is the 134th anniversary of Congressional Statutes 371 and 398 which were enacted by Congress on this date in 1890 to help create the volunteer climate observation network in the United States. Under these acts the Secretary of Agriculture was given the authority to issue up to $15 in instrumentation to one unpaid volunteer observer in each county for the purpose of providing the government with daily meteorological observations. .Many volunteers came forward, as in those days, keeping the local weather records was perhaps regarded as more prestigious than it is today. After all, many famous Americans such as Professor John Winthrop of Harvard, statesman Benjamin Franklin, President Thomas Jefferson, writer Henry Thoreau, and explorers Lewis and Clark were at some time engaged as daily weather observers.
The legacy of this act is the detailed climatology available today for most places in the United States.
Past Weather:
The exceptionally hot, dry summer of 1976 was wrapping up on August 30 that year with a Heat Wave that brought many record-setting temperatures to Minnesota. Over 20 counties in southern and western Minnesota reported afternoon temperatures in the 90s F, with 103°F reported from Minneota (Lyon County). The heat and drought of 1976 was so devastating to the agricultural economy of Minnesota that the legislature voted to approve a new faculty position at the University of Minnesota for an Extension Climatologist. Guess who filled the position---me!August 30, 1977 was a rather normal day until early evening when dark clouds appeared on the horizon. An intense thunderstorm began about 8:30 pm and brought 4-5 inches of rainfall to the State Fairgrounds in St Paul by midnight. The maximum rainfall rate occurred between 9:00 and 10:00 pm when over 2.5 inches of rain fell. The storm total of 7.36 inches at the MSP airport remains the 2nd greatest in Twin Cities history, surpassed only by the 10 inches that fell on July 23-24 of 1987. Hundreds of homes in the Twin Cities reported water damage. Evening events at the State Fair were cancelled.
Outlook:
Sunny weekend, with cooler temperatures on Sunday. Sunday morning will bring the coolest temperatures in several weeks with many lows in the 40s F. Most of next week will be dry and sunny. There will be increasing chances for showers by late Wednesday and into Thursday.
Comments