Minnesota WeatherTalk

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Climate signature for first half of July: Through July 16th temperatures around the state have been averaging from 1°F to 2°F above normal, with several days reaching into the 90s F. Only areas along the north shore of Lake Superior have seen temperatures close to normal for the month so far. Rainfall through the first half of July has been mixed across the state. Many north-central and northeastern communities have reported 4 to 5 inches or more. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor the only areas of the state left in at least Moderate Drought at mid-summer are portions of Kittson, Roseau, and Lake of the Woods Counties in the far north. Lastly, there have been numerous air quality alerts issued during the first half of July, more in northern counties than southern counties, and all related to wildfire smoke coming from Canada. By the way, from the NOAA Climate Outlook Models, it appear the balance of July will bring warmer than normal and wetter than normal conditions to most ...

Warm Start to July: Through the first 10 days of July, temperatures are averaging 2°F to 4°F warmer than normal. Though very few record high temperatures have been reported this month, observers in over 40 counties have reported daytime highs in the 90s, and a number of observers reported Head Index Value of 100°F over July 4th and July 5th. Except for parts of north-central and south-central Minnesota which had strong thunderstorm over July 4th and 5th, most areas of the state are reporting below normal rainfall so far. Wells (Faribault County) reported a record daily rainfall of 2,82 inches on July 5th, while Waskish (Beltrami County) reported a record rainfall of 2.67 inches on the same date. The U.S. Drought Monitor this week shows only portions of Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, and Marshall Counties (far northwestern MN) to be in Moderate or Severe Drought. According to USDA reports topsoil moisture in the state is mostly rated to be adequate at this time and surplus in 2...

Hot start to July: The first few days of July have averaged 4°F to 7°F above normal in most places around the state. Observers in 9 counties have reported afternoon highs of 90°F or higher so far. In addition, dew points have climbed into the 70s F, producing stressful Heat Index Values over 100°F. The National Weather Service has already had to issue some Heat Advisories for portions of Minnesota. NOAA outlook models continue to favor warmer than normal temperatures across Minnesota for much of the month of July, so I suspect that there will be more Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings issued during the month.  July 4th Climatology: The 4th of July holiday in Minnesota is usually hot with a chance for showers and thunderstorms. There have even been significant derechos (straight-line thunderstorm winds) that have caused damage in the state, most notably in 1977, 1983, and 1995. Speaking of thunderstorms, an intense one brought nearly 10 inches of rain of Milan (Chippe...