Preliminary Climate Summary for November 2024

Preliminary Climate Summary for November 2024:

For the month of November most Minnesota climate stations will report an average monthly temperature that is 4°F to 6°F above normal. Although the month closed with a string of days that brought below normal temperatures, nearly three-fourths of all days during November brought warmer than normal temperatures. Extremes for the month were 79°F at Preston (Fillmore County) and -10 degrees F at Detroit Lakes (Becker County) on November 30. Within the state climate station network, there were 7 daily record high maximum temperature records set or tied during the month, and 37 daily record warm minimum temperatures set. On a statewide basis this November will likely fall among the warmest 11 Novembers in state history. And this November when combined with the warmest September in state history and the 6th warmest October in state history will produce the warmest autumn season in state history on a statewide basis, almost 7 degrees F above normal, pretty remarkable. Only towards the end of the month were some area lakes beginning to show some very thin ice cover.

The month of November was wetter than normal for most places in the state, with a statewide average precipitation of just over 2.50 inches. That ranks as the 11th wettest November in state history. Many eastern Minnesota climate stations reported over 4 inches of precipitation during the month, and a few northeastern and southeaster stations reported over 5 inches. Within the state climate station network, there were 88 daily precipitation records set, including several reports of over 1.50 inches. Snowfall was scarce during the month, with some places reporting 1 to 3 inches. A few north shore locations along Lake Superior reported over 6 inches for the month.

The drought situation across Minnesota improved significantly over the month of November. The month began with over 90 percent of the state landscape in at least Moderate Drought. By the end of the month that number was down to 57 percent, and the area designated to be in Severed Drought was down to 9 percent (from over 50 percent earlier in the month). Soils were beginning to freeze up over the last few days of the month, down to a depth of 3-4 inches.

About one-third of the days in November brought wind gusts over 30 mph. Over two-thirds of the days brought dominant cloudiness or fog was present. There were only 4-5 sunny days.

Despite the widespread drought of the autumn season the first 11 months of 2024 will rank as the 14th wettest in state history. The first 11 months of this year rival the year 2012 for the warmest in state 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:

The BBC reported that on Wednesday, November 27 Seoul, South Korea reported its largest ever November snowfall with 6.3 inches, bringing traffic to a standstill in many areas and causing flight cancellations at the airport. It was a sharp turn in the weather from what had otherwise been a fairly mild November.

The Weather Underground web site posted a summary and synopsis of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season which just ended. There were 18 named storms this year, and catastrophic consequences across many parts of Florida and North Carolina.

MPR listener question:

Now that we have seen a little bit of snow this month, we are wondering what are the extreme snowfall records for the month of December (we are hoping it is a snowy month)?

Answer:

The snowiest Decembers occurred in 2013, 2021, and 2022 when parts of the north shore along Lake Superior reported over 55 inches for the month. The record highest amount for the Twin Cities is 33.6 inches in December of 2010.

Twin Cities Almanac for November 29th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 35 degrees F (plus or minus 11 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 22 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for November 29th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 62 degrees F in 1998; lowest daily maximum temperature of -4 degrees F in 1875; lowest daily minimum temperature of -25°F in 1875; highest daily minimum temperature of 50 degrees F in 1998, and record precipitation of 1.38 inches in 1991. Record snowfall is 12.6 inches in 1991.

Average dew point for November 29th is 18°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 57°F in 1998 and the minimum dew point on this date is -24 degrees F in 1958.

All-time state records for November 29th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 68 degrees F at Albert Lea (Freeborn County) in 1998. The state record low temperature for this date is -39 degrees F at Tower (St Louis County) in 1896. The state record precipitation for this date is 2.85 inches at Farmington (Dakota County) in 1934. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 16.0 inches at Cambridge (Isanti County) in 1991.

Past Weather:

Easily the coldest November 29 in state history was in 1896, when everywhere in the state reported subzero morning low temperatures, including several readings of -30°F or colder in northern counties. The daily high temperature at Crookston was only -15°F.

The 4th major snowstorm of the month crossed Minnesota over November 29-30 of 1991. Many areas of southern and central Minnesota reported 5 to 10 inches of snowfall, and a few locations reported over 1 foot. This last snowstorm of the month brought record-setting monthly total snowfall to many counties. Several climate stations reported over 40 inches of snowfall that month, and some areas along the Lake Superior highlands reported over 50 inches.

November 29 of 1998 was by far the warmest in state history. With little or no snow cover, afternoon temperatures climbed into the 50s and 60s F under sunny skies. In the southern half of Minnesota, golf courses were open for business.

Outlook:

Cooler than normal over the weekend and much of next week. Some overnight lows will be in single digits. Sunny skies in southern areas and more clouds in the north, with a chance for snow flurries in the north counties Sunday and Monday nights. Warmer temperatures towards the end of next week, with some chances for snow.