Minnesota WeatherTalk

A Very Dry Two Weeks: It has been a very wet year across the state of Minnesota, with many climate stations already reporting total precipitation for the year-to-date that exceeds their annual normal amount. So, the recent two-week dry period (nearly total absence of significant rainfall) has been quite unusual. In fact, statewide statistics show it has been the second driest two-week period or longer for the year so far. Statewide average precipitation low points in 2024: January 19-February 7 average of 0.06 inches (14 days) August 31-September 13 average of 0/08 inches (20 days) February 16-March 19 average of 0.16 inches (33 days) In addition, some of the lowest values of afternoon relative humidity for the growing season have been measured this week with readings in the 25 to 37 percent range. As a result, many gardens around the state have required some watering this week, along with other landscapes like golf courses. It appears that this situation will change significantly

Strong Warming Trend in September: Despite a rather cool, dry start to this month of September, it is worth noting what a strong warming trend has been measured over the last 30 Septembers in Minnesota. Since 1993 the average September temperature on a statewide basis has increased over 3.5°F. Further, 24 of the last 30 Septembers have been warmer than normal. September of 2015 was the warmest in state history, at 7°F above normal, and September of 2023 (last year) was the second warmest at 6.7°F above normal. September rainfall has been highly variable since 1993 with most years either being very dry or very wet, and very few years being near average. For example, in both 2010 and 2019 the statewide average rainfall in September was over 6 inches, while in 2012 it was just 0.61 inches. So what might we expect the rest of this month? After a rather cool Saturday this weekend, the balance of the month will bring mostly well above normal temperatures, with many daytime highs in t