Climate Summary for February:
Average monthly temperatures for February were cool, from 3°F to 5°F below normal in most areas of the state. About two-thirds of the days brought cooler than normal readings, and the number of subzero nights ranged from 11 in southern counties to as much as 20 nights in the north. Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the nation on six mornings this month. Temperatures ranged from -41°F at Ely on the 17th to 59°F at Fairmont on the 23rd and at Winnebago on the 24th. Many southern and western climate stations reported afternoon high temperatures in the 50s F during the last week of the month. Milan (Chippewa County) reported a new record daily high temperature of 55°F on the 23rd and Hastings Dam (Dakota County) reported a new record daily high temperature of 51°F on the 25th. In contrast, earlier in the month when subzero temperatures prevailed 50 Minnesota climate stations reported setting new daily low minimum temperature records.
In terms of precipitation, the February pattern was mixed with about half of the state climate stations reporting below normal amounts for the month and approximately half reported above normal amounts. Most areas of southern Minnesota reported less than half an inch of precipitation, while several climate stations in the northeast reported over 1 inch. Monthly snowfall ranged from under 5 inches in much of southern Minnesota to over 16 inches in the northeast. Within the state climate station network, there were over 30 new daily precipitation and daily snowfall records reported during the month. By the end of the month there was little or no snow cover over the southern two-thirds of the state, but in the northeastern counties snow cover still ranged from 10 to 20 inches.
Winds gusted to 30 mph or greater on 7 to 10 days and contributed to numerous Cold Weather Advisories issued by the National Weather Service. Maximum wind gusts of 50 mph or greater were reported on February 6th and February 28th.
Current outlooks favor a warmer and drier than normal first half of March, so it is likely that Minnesota will continue to lose snow cover and dry out as we move towards the equinox.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
The Weather Underground reported this week about a tornado that touched down briefly in South Dakota on Monday, February 24th. This is the first know tornado to be observed in South Dakota during the winter month and followed almost immediately after a cold snap that brought subzero temperatures to the state. Another example of amplified variability in our Midwest weather patterns.
The latest Drought Outlook from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center suggests that many parts of Minnesota will see drought persist this spring through May. Some of this is based on the lack of normal snow cover across the state this winter, and some is tied to the persistence of the La Nina pattern in the equatorial Pacific Ocean during the spring season.
MPR listener question:
How much does the average number of days per year with measurable precipitation vary around the state?
Answer:
I examined the average total annual days when precipitation was equal to 0.01 inches or greater for the period 1991-2020 for several climate stations in the state. Here are the results:
Twin Cities 119 days, Rochester 124 days, Duluth 133 days, Worthington 107 days,
Morris 105 days, Crookston 86 days, International Falls 133 days, Grand Rapids 132 days,
Grand Marais 95 days, and St Cloud 110 days.
So, it is quite a range around the state, with the fewest days of measurable precipitation annually in the western and northern areas.
Twin Cities Almanac for February 28th:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 34 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 18 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for February 28th:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 57 degrees F in 1932; lowest daily maximum temperature of -9 degrees F in 1962; lowest daily minimum temperature of -26 degrees F in 1962; highest daily minimum temperature of 38 degrees F in 1895, and record precipitation of 0.70 inches in 2012. Record snowfall is 8.0 inches in 1907.
Average dew point for February 28th is 15°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 40°F in 1983 and the minimum dew point on this date is -40 degrees F in 1962.
All-time state records for February 28th:
The state record high temperature for this date is 65 degrees F at Luverne (Rock County) in 2000. The state record low temperature for this date is -50 degrees F at Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) in 1897. The state record precipitation for this date is 2.23 inches at Faribault (Rice County) in 2012. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 15.0 inches at Long Prairie (Todd County) in 1948 and at Brainerd (Crow Wing County) in 1951..
Past Weather:
A late season winter storm crossed the state on February 28 of 1948 bringing a mixture of rain, sleet, and snow. Many areas reported 8 to 20 inches of snowfall. Brainerd reported over 2 feet of snowfall from the storm. During the storm, temperatures dropped from 30 to 40 degrees. Fortunately the storm came on a weekend, and there were not any school closures.
Bitter, mid-winter cold gripped the state on February 28 of 1962. Most areas of Minnesota reported morning low temperatures ranging from -20°F to -40°F. The afternoon high temperature at Thief River Falls only reached -18°F. Throughout the day, the Wind Chill Values ranged from -40°F to -50°F.
February 28 of 2000 brought a taste of spring to most of Minnesota with widespread reports of afternoon temperatures in the 50s F under bright sunny skies. Redwood Falls, Milan, Madison, Windom, Marshall, and Luverne all reached the 60s F, and some farmers were seen working their fields.
Outlook:
Sunny, but somewhat cooler over the weekend, then warming up for Monday and Tuesday. There will be a chance for some rain or snow showers beginning late Monday and running through Wednesday, as temperatures moderate, but still remain mostly above normal for this time of year.
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