Climate Summary for October

Climate Summary for October:

Following the pattern of September, temperatures averaged well above normal in October. Most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature that was 4°F to 6°F above normal, with the most significant departures from normal in the western and southern counties. Some areas of the state were as much as 8°F warmer than normal, and many central and southern counties reported either their 4th or 5th warmest October in history, with several days when the afternoon high temperature reached 80°F or greater. Statewide it appears October of 2024 will be the 6th warmest in history. Extremes across the state ranged from 88°F at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) on October 10th to just 15°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on the 17th.

During the month, over 90 daily record high temperatures were reported from the Minnesota climate station network, and over 45 record daily warm minimum temperatures were reported. October 29 (Tuesday) of this week alone, brought over two dozen new daily maximum temperature or warm minimum records to the Minnesota climate station network, including many afternoon readings of 80°F or higher. Because of the warm temperatures and prevalent dry conditions in most areas of the state there were several days during October when the National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings.

In terms of precipitation, most areas of the state were drier than normal during the month, with fewer than normal rainy days. Only five daily record rainfall amounts were reported from the state climate network. Two of the most prominent were 2.99 inches at Red Lake Falls (Red Lake County) on October 22nd, and 1.20 inches at Tower (St Louis County) on October 13th.

Most climate stations reported from 1 to 2 inches of rainfall for the month. Some parts of western and southern Minnesota reported less than 1 inch. For many areas of the state the last day of the month (Oct 31) brought the most moisture, with many rainfall amounts ranging from 0.50 inches to 1.5 inches. A few long-term climate stations reported new record amounts of precipitation on October 31st including:

1.26 inches at MSP
1.40 inches at Hokah Houston County)
1.40 inches at La Crescent Dam (Winona County)
0.93 inches at Windom (Cottonwood County)

In addition, a number of climate stations reported snowfall on October 31st. Windom (Cottonwood County) reported a new daily record of 2.4 inches of snowfall and Comfrey (Brown County) reported 3.5 inches of snow. Winthrop, Monticello, Plymouth, and Sandstone all reported over 4 inches.

October was also exceptionally windy, with many climate stations reporting 30 mph or greater wind gusts on 12 to 15 days during the month. These winds accelerated the drying out of the landscape.

As October ends the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that over 90 percent of the Minnesota landscape was in at least Moderate Drought, and over 50 percent was in Severe Drought. This is probably the most significant autumn footprint of drought in Minnesota since the autumn of 2012. This should probably come as no surprise since the 2024 September-October time frame shows that on a statewide basis it was the 3rd driest in Minnesota history was well as the warmest in Minnesota history.

Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards Nominations Solicited:

The Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Program (MCAP) has put out a call for nominations for the 2025 Climate Adaptation Awards. These awards have been presented annually since 2014 and recognize exceptional achievements in climate resilience or climate justice through the development, advancement, or implementation of climate adaptation strategies. We know that celebrating success and showcasing the actions and leadership of our peers can help to accelerate adaptation across Minnesota, and beyond. Recipients have developed cutting-edge adaptation plans for their communities, supported project-specific implementation of adaptation investments, and served as leaders championing adaptation across their organizations. Awards are presented in five categories. Please review the procedures for the awards nominations at the MCAP web site and consider nominating worthy individuals or organizations by December 2nd.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

Reuters reported this week that the Valencia Region of Spain suffered from historical flash flooding due to intense and record-setting rainfall on Tuesday (October 29). Many areas reported over 15 inches of rainfall. Some bridges and buildings were swept away and severe erosion and landslides produced massive amounts of mud on streets and roads. There were also widespread power outages. The Valencia Region that produces two-thirds of the citrus fruit grown in Spain, a leading global exporter.

According to the Weather Underground it may be a interesting last month for the Atlantic Hurricane Season as there are currently at least 3 areas that will be monitored by the NOAA National Hurricane Center for tropical storm development over the next week or so. According to Chris Dolce of the Weather Underground the last month of hurricane season generates one storm every 1 to 2 years, on average. In the past 10 years, the season's last storm fizzled as soon as Oct. 28 and as late as Dec. 7.

A news release from the United Kingdom Meteorological Office: In the Tea-CUP project (Co-developing Useful Predictions) scientists from the Met Office and China have been working with tea experts and local farmers in Yunnan Province to understand what seasonal and climate information they need to inform adaptation measures. The projects inclusive approach ensures that services are tailored to the specific needs of users, considering factors beyond scientific evidence, such as cultural values and social norms. This new joint approach helps tea farmers adapt to climate challenges by providing timely and relevant climate information.

MPR listener question:

I noticed that the high temperature for Minneapolis on any day in September 2024 was always at least 70°F. I was wondering about if there was ever any September other than 2024 where the high temperature on any given day was never below 70°F?

Answer:

Interesting question. No there is not another September in the Twin Cities climate history where the daytime high temperature was always 70°F or greater. The closest was in 1948 when 28 of the 30 days in September brought daytime highs of 70°F or greater. It is also interesting to note that September of 2024 was the only time the monthly average temperature in the Twin Cities has exceeded 70°F (70.4°F). That is roughly equivalent to the average September temperature in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Twin Cities Almanac for November 1st:

1The average MSP high temperature for this date is 50 degrees F (plus or minus 11 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 34 degrees F (plus or minus 9 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for November 1st:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 77 degrees F in 1933; lowest daily maximum temperature of 25 degrees F in 1951; lowest daily minimum temperature of 10 degrees F in 1951; highest daily minimum temperature of 57 degrees F in 2000, and record precipitation of 1.85 inches in 1991. Record snowfall is 18.5 inches in 1991.

Average dew point for November 1st is 33°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 62°F in 2000 and the minimum dew point on this date is -4 degrees F in 1984.

All-time state records for November 1st:

The state record high temperature for this date is 84 degrees F at Winona (Winona County) in 1950. The state record low temperature for this date is -5 degrees F at Itasca State Park (Clearwater County) in 1919. The state record precipitation for this date is 3.28 inches at Winona (Winona County) in 1991. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 24.1 inches at Duluth (St Louis County) in 1991.

Past Weather:

Bitter cold gripped the state of Minnesota on the morning of November 1 in 1919. With 2 to 4 inches of snow cover across northern Minnesota, overnight temperatures plummeted to record lows. Many areas reported temperatures in the teens and single digits, and across several northern counties, temperatures were subzero. The afternoon high temperature at Hallock (Kittson County) only reached 23°F.

The warmest ever November 1st was in 1950 when many communities saw afternoon temperatures in the 70s F. Some parts of southern Minnesota reached 80°F or greater. After a morning low of just 38°F Pipestone reached an afternoon high of 82°F.

On November 1 of 1991 Minnesota was in the middle of the famous blizzard that had started on Halloween. It was a long-lasting blizzard that dropped 12 to 28 inches of snowfall across much of the state, and over 30 inches om parts of St Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties along the north shore of Lake Superior. It took days to clear roads and shovel out businesses and homes.

Outlook:

Warming temperatures over the weekend, but with chances for rain each day. Continued even warmer on Monday with chances for rain and even thunderstorms. Cooling back closer to normal for Tuesday through Friday of next week, and generally drier weather.