Minnesota WeatherTalk

Preliminary Climate Summary for December of 2024: With the expected warmer than normal last week of the month (to conclude next Tuesday), most climate stations in Minnesota will report a mean monthly temperature that is 3°F to 5°F above normal for December. This will mean that on a statewide basis December of 2024 will fall among the warmest 25 in state history. Extremes for the month ranged from 58°F at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) on the 7th and at Winnebago (Faribault County) on the 8th to just -31°F at Baudette (Lake of the Woods County) on the 11th. Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the nation four times during December, on the 12th, 13th, 19th, and 21st. Moisture was generally above normal during December in most places. Statewide precipitation average was close to 1 inche, well above normal. Many areas of the state reported from 1 to 2 inches of precipitation (liquid equivalent) and some areas along the north shore of Lake Superior reported over 2 inch...

More snow and rain leads to a wetter than normal December: Many places in central and southeastern Minnesota reported 4 to 7 inches of snowfall on Thursday, December 19th. A few Red River Valley communities like Hendrum (Norman County) and Warren (Marshall County) reported 5 inches of snowfall. There were a number of climate stations that reported record snowfalls for December 19th, including Bird Island (Renville County) with 6.8 inches, New Prague (Scott County) with 7 inches, Winthrop (Sibley County) with 7 inches, and Rochester (Olmsted County) with 5.9 inches. In western Wisconsin, La Crosse reported a record snowfall of 6.6 inches. Thursday’s snowfall when combined with the rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow of last weekend provide the wettest week of the month so far. With the additional precipitation of this week (both rain and snow) across the state, many climate stations are now reporting above normal amounts for the month and there are still 11 days to go. The wetter ...

Statewide subzero temperatures arrive: After only scattered reports of subzero readings across northern Minnesota over the last two days of November, subzero readings were reported on a statewide basis this week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Dec 11-13). In fact, Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the nation on December 11 with -17°F at Roseau, and on December 12 with -26°F at Warroad. Several northern communities saw morning lows of -20°F or colder this week. Some climate stations even reported subzero daily maximum temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday. For example at Red Lake Falls and Park Rapids, the daily high temperatures were -9°F and -6°F, respectively on December 12th. The National Weather Service issued Cold Weather Advisories for much of the state on December 11-12, as Wind Chill Values were expected to be -25°F or colder in the southern portions of the state and -30°F or colder in northern areas. Places like Duluth, Grand Rapids, Roseau, Warroad, Hib...

December off to a cold and windy start: So far everyday in December has brought colder than normal temperatures to Minnesota, Climate observers in 20 counties have already reported some subzero low temperatures. Through the first 5 days of the month temperatures are averaging 3 to 6 degrees F cooler than normal around the state. Snowfall has occurred in light amounts in most areas of the state, but generally less than 1 inch. Along the north shore areas near Grand Marais, some observers have reported 4 to 6 inches of snowfall so far this month. In the absence of significant snow cover, soils have frozen down to a depth of 6 inches or more in many areas of the state. The biggest weather event of the first week of December was the strong low pressure system that brought freezing rain, sleet, and snow to the state on Wednesday, December 4th. Winds were exceptionally strong for most of the day and combined with brief snow squalls this made visibility quite difficult for driving somet...