Climate Summary for July of 2025

Climate Summary for July of 2025:

Warm and wet are the simple descriptors of this July. Most climate stations report an average monthly temperature that is 1°F to 2°F above normal. Many observers reported 4 or more days with 90°F and a few days with Heat Index Values of 100°F or greater, thanks to dew points approaching 80°F or higher. On July 27th, Fergus Falls and St James reported record high dew points of 82°F and Benson reported a record high dew point of 81°F. Extremes for the month were 96°F at Marshall (Lyon County) and at Georgetown (Clay County) on July 4th, and just 37°F at Ada (Norman County) on the 18th.

After 4 years of drier than normal Julys, this year was wetter than normal across most of the state. The vast majority of climate stations reported above normal rainfall during July, with a statewide average rainfall over 5.50 inches, borderline for the 10th wettest July in state history. Within the statewide climate network, over 50 new daily record rainfall amounts were reported, including 3.49 inches at Marshall on the 19th, and 3.51 inches at Hibbing on the 24th. Near Ely they reported 3.08 inches on the 24th and 4.33 inches over the 23rd and 24th when they had flash flooding. In northern Minnesota, Ely and Orr in St Louis County, along with Waskish in Beltrami County, reported their wettest July in history with over 8 inches of rainfall. Other areas of the state lacking a long term climate record for context, reported over 10 inches of rain.

Multiple air quality alerts were issued for Minnesota by the MPCA during July, especially over the last week of the month. Over half of the days brought northerly winds allowing the smoke from wildfires in central Canada to mix in the air over Minnesota. Strong thunderstorm winds were reported across parts of the state over July 28th with gusts from 60 to 80 mph causing a good deal of tree damage, as well as power outages.

According to USDA, soil moisture conditions are adequate to surplus across most of Minnesota, a good sign for crop development during the coming month of August. 

Reflections on the challenges of July Weather:

Wrote this ditty back in 1997 when similar July weather plagued us:

Summertime isn't always so sublime.
Sometimes it's a crime.
Wet basements. Damaged pavements. Insurance claimants.
Saturated soil. Cars that boil. Food that spoils.
Broken trees. July freeze. Plant disease.
Running fans. Watering bans. Sweaty hands.
Too much heat. Cannot sleep. Feeling cheap.
Soccer rainout. Broken downspout. Many chores to count.
Downed wires. Irritable drivers. Patience that tires.
Forecasters mistakes. Hard to take. Give 'em a break. 

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

In this week’s AGU-EOS Bulletin there is an interesting article about abrupt shifts in certain climate patterns as global temperature continues to increase. Researchers used a modeling technique called canny edge detection to evaluate the probability for more abrupt climate change patterns as global temperatures continue to rise. They found it likely that abrupt climate change evidence will appear more frequently, decade by decade.

This week the BBC Weather Center features an interesting article about extreme turbulence encountered by airlines. It seems to be on the rise with respect to frequency of reports. Recent research suggests that climate change is a major factor in driving up both convective and clear-air turbulence.

The Weather Underground features an article this week that describes what a megaflash is. This extremely long lightning flashes can be detected from satellites and extend several hundred miles. In October of 2017, a world-record megaflash occurred over the central USA, extending 515 miles from northeast Texas to Kansas City, MO. Most lightning flashes extend only 10 miles or less. 

MPR listener question:

After 4 consecutive drier than normal years, is precipitation running above normal this year in Minnesota? 

Answer:

Yes, thanks primarily to a wetter than normal April, June, and now July, most all areas of the state are reporting above normal precipitation for the year so far. Only portions of far northwestern Minnesota are showing below normal precipitation. In south-central Minnesota, Waseca and Wells have already reported over 27 inches of precipitation for the year. 

Twin Cities Almanac for August 1st:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 83 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 65 degrees F (plus or minus 6 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for August 1st:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 101 degrees F in 1988; lowest daily maximum temperature of 61 degrees F in 1903; lowest daily minimum temperature of 49 degrees F in 1962; highest daily minimum temperature of 78 degrees F in 1964; and record precipitation of 2.03 inches in 1975. There has not been any snowfall on this date.

Average dew point for August 1st is 61°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 79°F in 1955 and the minimum dew point on this date is 33 degrees F in 1927. 

All-time state records for August 1st:

The state record high temperature for this date is 110 degrees F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) in 1988. The state record low temperature for this date is 30 degrees F at Ely (St Louis County) in 1929. The state record precipitation for this date is 6.75 inches at Park Rapids (Hubbard County) in 1906. No snowfall has occurred on this date. 

Past Weather:

It was a cold morning on August 1 of 1920, especially in northern Minnesota where many communities reported temperatures in the 30s F. Frost was observed in Carlton, St Louis, and Roseau Counties.

The hottest August 1st in state history was in 1988, when over 40 counties reported afternoon temperatures of 100°F or greater. The cool spot in the state was Baudette with an afternoon high of only 69°F. Some place reported over 15 days that summer with temperatures of 100°F or higher.

July 31 to August 1st in 2001 brought strong thunderstorms and torrential rains to northern Minnesota. Centered over Lake of the Woods County, many areas reported over 6 inches of rain. Flash flooding was widespread and many rural roads were washed out. 

Outlook:

Air quality alert will extend through Saturday evening for most places in Minnesota. Continued cooler than normal temperatures through the weekend and into early next week. Temperatures will begin to warm closer to normal on Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be slight chances for showers and thunderstorms, more so towards the end of the week.