November Climate Update

November Climate Update:

Ater a warm first week of the month, temperatures since November 7th have been averaging 2°F to 5°F colder than normal across the state. On November 9th, Brimson (St Louis County) reported a morning low temperature of just 8°F, while on November 10th, Pipestone reported a morning low of just 9°F. Several other areas reported overnight lows in the teens. In addition, many climate stations have reported daytime high temperatures in the 30s F over the past week.

Winds have continued to live up to tradition in November, with half the days bringing gusts of 30 mph or greater. Rochester, Moorhead, and Redwood Falls have had 9 such days.

Precipitation totals for the first half of November remain very low, mostly less than a quarter of an inch. Some areas of the state, notably far north and far south, reported measurable snowfalls over November 8-9 (last weekend). Some of these reports included: 3 inches at Pipestone, 2.5 inches at Windom and Kabetogama, 2.0 inches at Worthington and Blue Earth, 1.8 inches at Tower, and 1.6 inches at International Falls. All were the first measurable snowfalls of the season.

Drought conditions across the state remained the same as last week, with about 22 percent of the state landscape in Moderate Drought, and portions of Carlton and Pine Counties in Severe Drought. Most soils have not yet frozen and are still capable of taking in moisture. A few areas have reported soil temperatures near 32°F at the 2-inch depth. 

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

The cold air mass that invaded Minnesota a week ago arrived in the southeast states over November 9-12 and brought some record-setting cold to many areas. According to the Weather Underground web site, many areas reported new record morning low temperatures this week, including:

29°F at Charleston, SC and Waco, TX
28°F Jacksonville, FL, Mobile, AL and Savannah, GA
21°F at Huntsville, AL
36°F at Orlando, FL

The BBC reports this week that some scientists expect that fossil fuel emissions from generating electricity will finally flatline in 2025, and perhaps begin a downward trend, as clean energy sources from solar and wind continue to increase. Many scientists hope that future emissions from fossil fuel sources will go down more rapidly year by year from now on as clean energy sources continue to grow at a more rapid pace. 

MPR listener question:

We were wondering how often November is snowless in the Twin Cities? Thought you would know. 

Answer:

We have about 141 years of snowfall climatology in the Twin Cities, and November has never been entirely snowless. However, in the years 1928, 1939, 1963, and 2009 only a Trace of snow was reported for the entire month. Novembers in 1916, 1973, and 1998 only brought a tenth of an inch of snowfall for the month. The most recent 30-year average for November snowfall in the Twin Cities is 6.8 inches, but 4 of the last 8 Novembers have brought less than 1.25 inches of snowfall. 

Twin Cities Almanac for November 14th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 43 degrees F (plus or minus 11 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 28 degrees F (plus or minus 10 degrees F standard deviation). 

MSP Local Records for November 14th: 

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 71 degrees F in 1990; lowest daily maximum temperature of 12 degrees F in 1940; lowest daily minimum temperature of 0 degrees F in 1919; highest daily minimum temperature of 52 degrees F in 2001; and record precipitation of 0.80 inches in 1926. Record snowfall for this date is 2.5 inches in 1951. 

Average dew point for November 14th is 26°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 58°F in 2001 and the minimum dew point on this date is -2 degrees F in 1959. 

All-time state records for November 14th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 81 degrees F at St James (Watonwan County) in 1999. The state record low temperature for this date is -23 degrees F at Warroad (Roseau County) in 1911. The state record precipitation for this date is 2.05 inches at Mankato (Blue Earth County) in 1951. A record 14.0 inches of snow fell at Moorhead (Clay County) in 1909 and at Hovland (Cook County) in 2022. 

Past Weather:

Back-to-back winter storms brought a very snow during the third week of November in 1909. Over November 13-17 heavy snow blanketed the Minnesota landscape. A third of all climate stations reported from 9 to 15 inches of snowfall. Near Fairmont and Fosston, observers reported over 20 inches. Livestock were fed from sled drawn wagons of hay.

With several inches of snow on the ground over 30 Minnesota climate stations reported record cold daily minimum temperatures on November 14 of 1919. Some areas in the northern saw -20°F. The afternoon high temperature in northwestern Minnesota, places like Warren and Thief River Falls only reached 0°F.

November 14 of 1999 was probably the warmest in state history with over 60 climate stations reporting new record daily maximum temperatures, mostly in the 70s F. Five southern Minnesota communities hit the 80°F mark. Bright sunny skies prevailed and there was no snow on the ground. 

Outlook:

Warmer than normal temperatures will continue over the weekend, and it will be dry. A small chance of rain or snow by Monday with temperatures falling back close to normal for the balance of next week. Chance of rain or snow again towards the end of next week.