Suddenly a wetter than normal August:
Significant daily rainfalls over August 14-18 have suddenly pushed the southern two-thirds of the state to above normal values for the month, especially in west-central, south central, and southeastern counties. Many observers now report over 5 inches of rain for the month so far, and observers in 8 Minnesota counties have reported over 8 inches. Leading the numerous reports are Waseca with 11.08 inches and Grand Meadow with 10.90 inches.
The persistent rainfalls over August 14-18 brought over 30 record daily values to the historical Minnesota climate station network. Some of these included:
1.58 inches at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on the 15th
2.51 inches to Hastings Dam (Dakota County) and 2.07 inches to Milan (Chippewa County) on the 16th
6.30 inches to Grand Meadow (Mower County), 3.46 inches to Lamberton (Redwood County), and 2.68 inches to Preston (Fillmore County) on the 17th
2.86 inches at Wabasha (Wabasha County), 2.81 inches at Winnebago (Faribault County), and 2.65 inches at Austin (Mower County) on the 18th.
Particularly noteworthy is that the 6.30 inches at Grand Meadow on August 17th is a new all-time statewide record for August 17th. Suffice to say that these rains generated some high volume flow on many southern Minnesota rivers and streams.
Temperatures continue to track mostly warmer than normal this month, although there have been fewer than normal 90°F days. Forecast guidance says that temperatures will generally be cooler than normal for the balance of the month.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
The Weather Underground reported on the challenging weather that Hurricane Erin brought to the Atlantic Coastal region of North Carolina this week. Winds gusted to over 50 mph along the Outer Banks, and tides overwashed highway 12 along the coast. The storm is mostly expected to remain further out to sea after Friday of this week.
The United Kingdom Met Office offers some speculation about Hurricane Erin remaining in tact as a significant low pressure system (extra-tropical storm) and reaching portions of northwest Scotland by next week. This could mean high winds and some significant rain showers for that area. They caution that it is still early for forecasting any further details
MPR listener question:
We were wondering if we are tracking to be a warmer and wetter than normal year so far? Thought you might know.
Answer:
For the first almost 8 months of the year, the average statewide temperature is about 3°F above normal, ranking as the 15th warmest in the last 130 years ((back to 1895). Precipitation for the first 8 months of the year is about 2.60 inches above normal statewide, ranking as the 30th wettest in the past 130 years. So, yes, 2025 is tracking as a warmer and wetter than normal year, but no where near a record for Minnesota.
Twin Cities Almanac for August 22nd:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 80 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 62 degrees F (plus or minus 6 degrees F standard deviation).
MSP Local Records for August 22nd:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 97 degrees F in 1971; lowest daily maximum temperature of 60 degrees F in 1891; lowest daily minimum temperature of 43 degrees F in 1890; highest daily minimum temperature of 80 degrees F in 1968; and record precipitation of 3.32 inches in 1914. There has not been any snowfall on this date.
Average dew point for August 22nd is 58°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 79°F in 2023 and the minimum dew point on this date is 38 degrees F in 1934.
All-time state records for August 22nd:
The state record high temperature for this date is 104 degrees F at Redwood Falls (Redwood County) in 1971. The state record low temperature for this date is 26 degrees F at Cotton (St Louis County) in 1967. The state record precipitation for this date is 5.14 inches at Flying Cloud Airport (Hennepin County) in 1998. No snowfall has occurred on this date.
Past Weather:
Strong thunderstorms brought heavy rains and flash flooding to many parts of southern Minnesota over August 22-23 of 1959. Many climate stations reported 3 to 5 inches of rainfall, while portions of Faribault and Mower Counties reported over 5 inches. Some country roads were washed out.
Morning frost was reported in four northern Minnesota counties on August 22 of 1967. Some parts of St Louis and Koochiching Counties reported temperatures in the mid to upper 20s F. The daytime high temperature at both Two Harbors and Duluth Harbor only reached 60°F.
August 22 of 1971 brought record-setting high temperatures to much of Minnesota as afternoon highs of 90°F or greater dominated the state. The temperature reached 100°F in four western counties. The high was only 67°F at Grand Marais Harbor that day.
Outlook:
Cool and sunny over the weekend and early next week. Some morning low temperatures will be in the 40s F, and even upper 30s F in northern communities. The period will generally be dry as well, with little rainfall seen in the forecast.
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