Some Climate Highlights of the Year 2024 So Far:
-warmest meteorological winter (Dec-Feb) in state history. The three months averaged over 14°F above normal on a statewide basis, golf courses open at least one-day in every month.
-the warm winter also included the warmest January 31st in state history when MSP and St Cloud both reached 55°F and Marshall reached 61°F, with citizens taking their lunch outside to enjoy the fresh air.
-the mild winter also produced a record or near-record low amount of seasonal snowfall for many areas of the state. Most of the seasonal snowfall in many places either came on Valentine’s Day or the two winter storms in March (Mar 21-22, or Mar 23-27). Twin Cities ended up with a seasonal total of 29.5 inches, but places like Austin, St James, St Peter, and Mankato ended up with less than 15 inches.
-Then, unexpectedly after 3 years of drought, Minnesota recorded the wettest April-June period in state history, with a statewide average rainfall of over 15.25 inches. The frequency of rainfall was especially notable as many climate stations reported at least a trace of rain on over half of the days during the 3-month period. Farmers had to cope with wet soils, ponded fields, and in some cases eroded fields. There were many fields replanted.
-Summer rains have continued to hammer parts of Minnesota with frequent and significant rainfalls. Since the start of the 2024 growing season there have been 235 new daily rainfall records set within the Minnesota historical climate network, including many 3 and 4 inch daily rainfall amounts.
-The end result of the frequent and significant rainfalls since April is that 97 percent of the state has seen above normal precipitation for the year, and we are on a pace to record perhaps the wettest year in state history. Wells (Faribault County), Elgin (Wabasha County) and Faribault (Rice County) have all recorded over 40 inches already this year, with over 4 months to go.r
State Fair Climate:
The Minnesota State Fair starts its 12-day run on August 22 concluding on Labor Day, September 2nd this year. The DNR-Minnesota State Climatology Office web site features a wealth of historical information about the State Fair, along with details about weather history during the Fair.
A few details from State Fair Weather History:
Highest maximum temperature was 104°F on September 10, 1931
Lowest maximum temperature was 52°F on September 7, 1911
Lowest morning temperature was 33°F on September 13, 1890
Second coldest morning was 36°F on September 1, 1974
Most number of 90°F days, six, was in 2013
On average it rains 3 or 4 days during the 12-day run of the Fair
The driest State Fair was in 2023 when only a trace of rain fell over the 12 days
The wettest State Fair was in 1977 when 9.48 inches of rain fell
Wettest evening at the State Fair, August 30, 1977 when 4.06 inches of rain fell
On August 31, 1989 golf ball size hail fell on the Fairgrounds during the afternoon
I will be at the State Fair on two dates this year, both times at the MPR stage located at the corner of Judson and Nelson. On August 23 (Friday) from 11am to noon I will be a guest on TPT Almanac program. Then on August 28 (Wednesday) Cathy Wurzer and I will be on from noon to 1pm for the Minnesota Now Program and share the 28th Annual State Fair Weather Quiz. If you plan to attend the State Fair please drop by if you can.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
This week the United Kingdom Meteorological Office released a synopsis from the State of the Climate Report which they coordinate with NOAA. Some of the major findings include:
- Earth’s greenhouse gas concentrations were the highest on record during 2023. Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached their highest measured atmospheric concentrations during the year.
- 2023 was the warmest year since records began in the mid-1800s, surpassing the previous record set in 2016.
- The highest average annual global sea-surface temperature was recorded during 2023
- Ocean heat content – the measure of heat from the sea surface to a depth of two kilometres – was the highest on record.
- The average global sea level in 2023 was the highest on record for the twelfth successive year.
- Antarctic sea ice reached an all-time record low during 2023
This week the CBC in Canada featured an article about the world’s most effective climate policies when it comes to reducing emissions and slowing the pace of climate change. The article is comprehensive in looking at a wide range of countries and economies. The authors looked at 63 successful policies, including carbon pricing and incentives to reduce emissions. There is not one method that fits all countries, but the article is quite work reading
MPR listener question:
Out here in Traverse County at Wheaton, we are experiencing a very cool month of August, nearly 3.5°F cooler than average so far. This is contrary to the heat and humidity we so vividly remember from recent summers. We are a bit worried about our late planted corn crop reaching maturity before frost. Can you tell us how long it has been since we had a cooler than normal August?
Answer:
Actually, over the past 15 years, Wheaton has reported a cooler August than this year only twice, in 2017 and 2019. The coolest August of historical record was 20 years ago in 2004 when the month was nearly 8.5°F cooler than normal. August of 2004 brought only 4 days of 80°F temperatures and tens days when the maximum air temperature was 68°F or less. BTW it appears that the balance of the month, as well as early September should bring daily temperatures closer to normal for you in Traverse County helping your corn crop mature.
Twin Cities Almanac for August 23rd:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 80 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 62 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for August 23rd:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 97 degrees F in 1948; lowest daily maximum temperature of 57 degrees F in 1890; lowest daily minimum temperature of 42 degrees F in 1891; highest daily minimum temperature of 77 degrees F in 1948, and record precipitation of 1.43 inches in 1899. No snowfall has occurred on this date.
Average dew point for August 23rd is 58°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 78°F in 2023 and the minimum dew point on this date is 32 degrees F in 1927.
All-time state records for August 23rd:
The state record high temperature for this date is 104 degrees F at Beardsley (Big Stone County) in 1922. The state record low temperature for this date is 25 degrees F at Tower (St Louis County) in 1977. The state record precipitation for this date is 5.82 inches at Remer (Cass County) in 1978. There has been no snowfall on this date.
Past Weather:
Slow-moving thunderstorms brought heavy rains to many parts of Minnesota on August 23 of 1870. There were few climate stations in Minnesota back then, but some observers reported 3 to 4 inches of rainfall, while observers in Sibley and Brown Counties reported over 5 inches. The Minnesota River rose several feet as a result of the storm.
Summertime heat prevailed on August 23 of 1922 as over 50 counties saw the afternoon temperature reach 90°F or greater. In western Minnesota, Fergus Falls, Wheaton, and Beardsley saw temperatures break 100°F.
A cold Canadian air mass covered the state on the morning of August 23 in 1940 and brought frost to 14 northern Minnesota counties. Climate stations in Cook, Lake, St Louis, Koochiching, Itasca, and Carleton Counties reported low temperatures in the twenties. The daytime high temperature at Itasca State Park only reached 52°F.
Outlook:
Warming temperatures over the weekend, with a small chance for showers Sunday night and Monday in northern areas. Temperatures will remain above average and then begin to cool down by Wednesday of next week. There will be an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms by late Wednesday through Friday of next week.
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