Update on weather for the first half of June

Update on weather for the first half of June:

Through the first two weeks of June the weather has brought a number of air quality alerts to most of the state due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Despite this pattern, near normal to above normal rainfall has been reported from many areas of the state. Dozens of observers have reported over 2 inches, and several reported over 3 inches so far. USDA reports for Minnesota show that the topsoil moisture content is currently rated 85 percent adequate or surplus, a good sign for continued stress-free crop development. Outlooks continue to favor wetter than normal conditions across the state through the 4th week of the month. A more comprehensive update on June weather can be found at the Minnesota State Climatology Office web site.

Despite the rains, Moderate Drought remains over about 17 percent of the Minnesota landscape, mostly in the north and southwest. In the drier areas of the state, afternoon temperatures spiked in the 90s F in parts of southwestern Minnesota earlier this week on Tuesday, June 10th when Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) reported a high of 94°F. Mostly above normal temperatures are expected for the second half of June across Minnesota.

The windiness of the spring season has not entirely subsided this month, as most climate stations have reported wind gusts of 30 mph or greater on 5 or 6 days. Several have reported gusts over 40 mph, as recently as last Sunday (June 8th).

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

Vietnam Net Global web site reported on Typhoon Wutip this week. It is being tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center as it travels through the Gulf of Tonkin and heads for southern coast of China. The Chinese Meteorological Service was forecasting landfall to occur on Friday, and heavy rains and high winds to spread inland over the weekend. Some areas may receive 8 to 12 inches of rainfall from this storm.

According to the Weather Underground meteorologists the weather near Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania may become a challenge for both fans and golfers at the U.S. Open Golf tournament this Saturday and Sunday as a nearby weather front brings chances for showers and thunderstorms. Umbrellas and ponchos may be needed, along with patience to wait out any delays in play. Scores may not be very low for the Saturday and Sunday rounds.

MPR listener question:

We have heard you and Cathy talk about how windy recent month have been this year. We were wondering if you know what the windiest spring season has been in Minnesota?

Answer:

I can only answer this question with somewhat limited data because our reliable wind statistics for most locations only go back to the mid 1990s. But clearly the spring (March-May) of 2022 was the windiest over the past 30 years or so. That spring many climate stations reported wind gusts of 30 mph or greater on 50 to 60 days. This spring was certainly windy, perhaps among the 5 or 6 windiest for many climate stations, as reports ranged from 35 to 45 days with wind gust over 30 mph. As yet, climate scientists don’t have a clear explanation for this.

Twin Cities Almanac for June 13th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 79 degrees F (plus or minus 9 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 60 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for June 13th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 100 degrees F in 1956; lowest daily maximum temperature of 49 degrees F in 1947; lowest daily minimum temperature of 37 degrees F in 1969; highest daily minimum temperature of 77 degrees F in 1956; and record precipitation of 2.37 inches in 2001. There has not been any snowfall on this date.

Average dew point for June 13th is 55°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 74°F in 2001 and the minimum dew point on this date is 29 degrees F in 1933.

All-time state records for June 13th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 104 degrees F at Redwood Falls (Redwood County) in 1956. The state record low temperature for this date is 25 degrees F at Cotton (St Louis County) in 1969. The state record precipitation for this date is 6.08 inches at Red Wing (Goodhue County) in 1950. No snowfall has occurred on this date.

Words of the Week: The SWEAT Index

The SWEAT Index was derived by the Air Force, not for putting cadets through basic training, but for indicating the potential for severe weather, a topic which pilots are keenly interested in This acronym stands for Severe Weather Threat Index and uses atmospheric stability, wind shear and wind speeds aloft (taken from radiosonde reports). In general, the differences in emperature, dew point and winds measured at the 850 mb and 500 mb levels of the atmosphere are considered in this index. Values of 250 or greater indicate a potential for severe weather. The SWEAT Index is not used as much as it used to be, as more sophisticated indices have taken its place. All of the radiosonde data collected by NOAA are especially important during the Severe Weather Season as these indices can indicate the potential for local severe thunderstorms to develop.

Past Weather:

Slow-moving, strong thunderstorms brought heavy rains and flash flooding to southeastern Minnesota on June 13 of 1950. Many areas received 3 to 5 inches of rainfall. Zumbrota and Red Wind received over 6 inches. Several roads were closed for a time. Fortunately, there was little hail associated with these thunderstorms.

By far the hottest June 13th historically was in 1956. Over 40 Minnesota climate stations reported record hot high temperatures that day. The temperature reached 100°F or higher in 10 counties.

The coldest June 13th was in 1969. Over 30 communities, mostly central and northern Minnesota reported frost that morning. Campers in St Louis, Itasca, Beltrami, Koochiching, Lake of the Wood, and Cass Counties woke up to temperatures in the mid to upper 20s F. Crops were damaged by the frost in Becker and Hubbard Counties.

Outlook:

Warming temperatures over the weekend with chances for showers and thunderstorms by late Saturday. This pattern will continue well into next week. By Thursday and Friday temperatures may cool down closer to normal and there may be a dry day or two.