Slow evolution of spring, but farmers anxious to plant

Slow evolution of spring, but farmers anxious to plant:

After starting the month of April with snowfall in many places, the first 10 days have generally brought cooler than normal temperatures to Minnesota. Most climate stations are reporting April average temperatures so far that are 3-5°F below normal, and a number of communities have reported morning lows in the single digits at times. On April 8th, Grand Marais Airport reported a morning low of -6°F, Seagull Like reported a morning low of -4°F and Gunflint Lake reported -1°F, all very cold for this time of year.

Thanks to the wet first three days of the month (mixture of snow and rain) as well as the widespread light rains reported on Wednesday night (April 9) this week, most areas of the state are still reporting above normal precipitation for the month. Many have reported over 2 inches. Combined with the wetter than normal month of March, the area of the state designated to be in Moderate-Severe Drought has declined from 63 percent to 47 percent of the landscape.

The outlook for the balance of the month generally favors above normal temperatures for Minnesota, and near normal to above normal precipitation. With soil temperatures averaging in the mid 40s F now, farmers are anxious to plant wheat fields, and perhaps in another week start planting corn. Many Minnesota farmers now aim to plant corn before May 1st.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

Jonathan Erdman of the Weather Underground features an article this week about how climate change is warming our national parks. NOAA data show that many of our national parks are warming at a rate that is nearly twice as fast as much of the rest of the nation. The accelerated warming rates are especially notable in the national parks of Alaska, as well as the desert southwest, where the frequency of excessively hot summer days has increased significantly in recent decades.

This week’s AGU EOS Bulletin features an interesting article about climate change impacts on evaptranspiration, a term used to describe evaporative demand from the landscape. The authors have coined a new term called “thirstwaves” to designate a time of extreme evapotranspiration which puts stress on landscape vegetation and crops. They note that in many climates, including parts of North America (including Minnesota) the frequency of thirstwaves is on the rise due to climate change and impacts need to be studied more.

The United Kingdom Meteorological Office reported that much of the UK saw record or near record sunshine for the month of March.

“With 185.8 hours of sunshine throughout the month, England enjoyed 59% more sunshine than its long-term meteorological average, making March 2025 its sunniest March since this series began in 1910, beating the previous record of 171.7 hours recorded in March 1929 by more than 14 hours. There was also a north/south divide, with southern England recording its sunniest March since 1910 and northern England its third.”

MPR listener question:

We were wondering what is the range in average annual precipitation across the state of Minnesota? Is it more than 10 inches?

Answer:

Yes, it is. Based on the 1991-2020 climate normals for Minnesota, Hallock (Kittson County) is on the low end with an average annual precipitation of just 22.31 inches. St Francis (Anoka County) is on the high end with an annual average precipitation of 42.12 inches, almost 20 inches more.

Twin Cities Almanac for April 11th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 55 degrees F (plus or minus 11 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 36 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for April 11th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 83 degrees F in 1968; lowest daily maximum temperature of 25 degrees F in 1940; lowest daily minimum temperature of 12 degrees F in 1940; highest daily minimum temperature of 59 degrees F in 2006, and record precipitation of 1.58 inches in 1887. Record snowfall is 5.7 inches also in 1929.

Average dew point for April 11th is 29°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 59°F in 1945 and the minimum dew point on this date is -1 degrees F in 1940.

All-time state records for April 11th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 92 degrees F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) and at Browns Valley (Traverse County) in 1977. The state record low temperature for this date is -4 degrees F at Baudette (Lake of the Woods County) in 1940. The state record precipitation for this date is 3.75 inches at Rochester (Olmsted County) in 2001. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 15.0 inches at Milan (Chippewa County) and at Brainerd (Crow Wing County) in 2008.

Past Weather:

The coldest April 11th in state history was in 1940 when most places in the state reported morning low temperatures in the single digits and teens. There were six northern climate stations that reported subzero lows, and Leech Lake reported an afternoon high temperature of only 22°F.

A late season winter storm brought heavy snow to western Minnesota counties on April 11 of 1959. Many areas reported 6 to 12 inches of snowfall. Fortunately the storm came over a weekend, so there was little disruption to traffic.

The warmest April 11th in history was in 1977 when over 60 climate stations set record high daily temperatures during the afternoon. Temperatures of 80°F or higher were widespread, and three counties reported highs of 90°F or greater. The overnight low at Zumbrota was 62°F, nearly 10 degrees above the average daily high for the date.

Outlook:

Generally warm (well above normal) and breezy over the weekend with a chance for rain from late Saturday through early Monday. Temperatures will cool down on Monday, bringing a chance for snow in the far north. Temperatures will warm to again by Wednesday and Thursday of next week, and there will be an increasing chance for rain showers.