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 sometimes. Wind Chill values went down to -20°F or colder around Warroad, Mahnomen, and Thief River Falls. These were some of the coldest readings so far this month. Many areas of the state reported wind gusts over 50 mph, and Rochester airport reported a wind gust of 63 mph. The high winds produced large waves on Lake Superior, ranging from 8 to 12 feet.
Temperatures are expected to moderate and rise above normal this weekend, then dip below normal next week, but go above normal again next weekend, a bit of a rollercoaster. There is no indication yet of major snowstorms heading our way.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
The Weather Underground web site produced a good summary about the lake effect snowfalls observed so far this month around the Great Lakes area. Many areas of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan reported 40 to 60 inches of snowfall this week. Like Minnesota, many climate observers also reported wind gusts of 40 mph to 50 mph making visibility near zero at times.
A recent paper in Global Change Biology documents a genomic break through in potatoes. Scientists engineered an alternative photorespiratory pathway (AP3) in tubers that enhanced their ability to produce abundant yields even when heat waves brought stress during the growing season to other crops. This may produce a pathway to more effectively engineer crops to be more resilient and produce sustaining yield levels even when climate change brings about more frequent and perhaps longer duration growing season heat waves.
MPR listener question:
The wind was so strong on Wednesday this week that it was hard to walk the dog in our neighborhood park here in the Twin Cities. I heard on the radio that wind gusts reached 50 mph here. How often does this happen in December!
Answer:
It is somewhat unusual to have wind gusts over 50 mph in December. The maximum I saw for Wednesday this week here in the Twin Cities was 53 mph around 3pm. The last time wind gusts exceeded 50 mph during December in the Twin Cities was December 16 of 2021 when gusts reached 58 mph (also that day there were tornadoes in southern MN). Before that, the last episode of extremely strong December winds was December 12,2004 when wind gusts reached 52 mph. So this does happen, but not very often, perhaps once a decade.
Twin Cities Almanac for December 6th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 32 degrees F (plus or minus 11 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 19 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for December 6th:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 63 degrees F in 1939; lowest daily maximum temperature of -2 degrees F in 1972; lowest daily minimum temperature of -19 degrees F in 1972; highest daily minimum temperature of 37 degrees F in 1951, and record precipitation of 0.53 inches in 1935. Record snowfall is 4.4 inches in 1969.
Average dew point for December 6th is 13°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 42°F in 1951 and the minimum dew point on this date is -28 degrees F in 1972.
All-time state records for December 6th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 73 degrees F at Beardsley (Big Stone County), Marshall (Lyon County) and Milan (Chippewa County) in 1939. The state record low temperature for this date is -41 degrees F at Kelliher (Beltrami County) in 2013. The state record precipitation for this date is 2.60 inches at Austin (Mower County) in 1992. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 23.2 inches at Duluth (St Louis County) in 1950.
Past Weather:
With abundant snow on the ground, arctic-like temperatures were reported around Minnesota on December 6 of 1873. Most areas reported subzero morning lows, and daytime high temperatures only reached single digits and teens. Many areas of central and northern Minnesota reported temperatures from -30° to -40°F.
Many areas of the state reported afternoon temperatures in the 60s and 70s F on December 6 of 1939. Five western counties enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures of 70°F and some citizens were observed taking their lunch outside.
A slow-moving winter storm brought heavy snowfall to many parts of Minnesota over December 5-7 of 1950. Many areas reported 8 to 16 inches of snow. Cloquet reported over 2 feet of snow, while the Duluth area received over 33 inches, where schools were closed.
Outlook:
Significant warming trend over the weekend will bring above normal temperatures under mostly sunny skies. Chance of snow late in the weekend, mostly in northern areas. Cooler than normal again for Monday through Thursday of next week, then a return of a warming trend for the following weekend.
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