Coldest and warmest years in Minnesota separated by 150 years

Coldest and warmest years in Minnesota separated by 150 years:

Preliminary climate data indicate that 2024 was the warmest year in Minnesota history on a statewide basis, with all 12 months being warmer than normal. This should not be surprising, as last winter was the warmest in Minnesota history as well. In the Twin Cities it appears that 2024 tied with 1931 as the warmest year in history, despite the months of June, July, and August being slightly cooler than normal. The 2024 climate data for other Minnesota cities shows that Duluth reported its warmest year in history, International Falls its 2nd warmest year, and Rochester its 3rd warmest year.

In juxtaposition to these climate statistics, I would like to point out that 150 years ago the winter of 1874-1875 was the coldest in Minnesota history, and this week 150 years ago began the coldest year in state history (1875). Winter of 1874-1875 was historic for both persistent cold and record-setting low temperatures. Some of these records still stand today, after 150 years. In the Twin Cities there were 80 consecutive days where the temperature remained below freezing (32°F) and Duluth endured 76 such days.

Snow was widespread across the state on New Years Day of 1875, adding to the 30-35 inches that had already occurred over November and December of 1874. No accurate record of snowfall exists back then, but it is likely from diaries and other precipitation data that many areas saw 70-80 inches of snowfall in the winter months of 1874-1875, even up to the first week of April. With a deep snowpack and Arctic high pressure dominating the first week of January in 1875 average temperatures were subzero across the state, and there were several other weeks dominated by consistent subzero readings.

In the Twin Cities there were 25 nights of subzero temperatures during January and another 21 nights during February of 1875, with multiple days reporting subzero afternoon high temperatures as well. Those two months remain the coldest in Minnesota history. Temperatures dropped to -30°F or colder in the Twin Cities 3 times that winter, and 4 times at Duluth. Eleven of the 12 months in 1875 were significantly colder than normal, with near-record cold in March, April, and October. The only month that was warmer than normal was the last month of the year, December.

Despite the dominance of cold weather during 1875, farmers enjoyed a good growing season, with ample rainfall (above normal), and no late spring or early autumn frosts to cope with. Wheat yields in western Minnesota counties were exceptionally good that year, fostering continued rapid development of the flour milling industry in the state.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

According to the BBC Weather Center 2024 was the 4th warmest year in history across the UK, surpassed only by 2022, 2023, and 2014. This was despite a slightly cooler than normal summer. All 10 of the warmest years in history across the UK have occurred since 2000.

The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia released a preliminary national climate summary for 2024 this week and remarked that the year was the 2nd warmest since national record keeping began in 1910. Further they stated that “nationally, summer 2023–24 was the third-warmest on record, winter was the second-warmest on record and spring was the warmest on record. There were numerous Heat Waves during the September to December period.

Jonathan Erdman of the Weather Underground features an interesting article this week about the 10 most bizarre weather stories of the year 2024. Included is a description of the first ever reported February tornadoes in Wisconsin (recall how mild February was in general), as well as the massive destruction wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the autumn.

MPR listener question:

When you spoke las week with Cathy you mentioned that 2024 might be the warmest year in Minnesota history. How will the warmth of 2024 rank among our neighboring and surrounding states?

Answer:

Based on preliminary climate data it is likely that 2024 will be the warmest year in history for many Great Lakes states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. Among other neighboring or nearby states like South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa, and Illinois the year 2024 will likely fall among the warmest 3 or 4 years in their history. I am sure that NOAA will publish the state by state ranks for 2024 temperature and precipitation relatively soon.

Twin Cities Almanac for January 3rd:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 24 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 10 degrees F (plus or minus 13 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for January 3rd:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 46 degrees F in 1880; lowest daily maximum temperature of -12degrees F in 1919; lowest daily minimum temperature of -26 degrees F in 1887; highest daily minimum temperature of 33 degrees F in 1992, and record precipitation of 0.76 inches in 1906. Record snowfall is 9.0 inches in 1906.

Average dew point for January 3rd is 6°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 34°F in 2006 and the minimum dew point on this date is -42 degrees F in 1919.

All-time state records for January 3rd:

The state record high temperature for this date is 53 degrees F at Pipestone (Pipestone County) in 1935 and at Canby (Yellow Medicine County) in 1998. The state record low temperature for this date is -54 degrees F at Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) in 1904. The state record precipitation for this date is 1.90 inches at St Cloud (Stearns County) in 1897. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 15.5 inches at Willmar (Kandiyohi County) in 1943.

Past Weather:

Snowy days dominated the first few days of January in 1897 with many areas of the state reporting total snowfalls from 5 inches to 12 inches. Some locations reported up to 16 inches. Milan in Chippewa County would end up with 46 inches of snowfall for the month.

Arctic high pressure settled over the state on January 3 of 1911 bringing record-setting low temperatures to over 40 climate stations, many reporting -40°F or colder. With several inches of snow on the ground the afternoon high temperature at Park Rapids only reached -15°F.

January 3 of 1998 was probably the warmest in state history as over 40 climate stations reported record high temperatures for the date, mostly in the 40s F. The sun was out nearly all day and there was little or no snow cover across much of the state. Daytime high temperatures reach 50°F in parts of western Minnesota.

Outlook:

Colder than normal temperatures will dominate the weekend and much of next week. There will be more sun in the north this weekend and a slight chance for snow in the south later on Saturday. The period from Sunday through Wednesday generally looks cold, but with more sun and little chance for snow until later next week.