Climate Summary for December of 2025:
The year 2025 concluded with a colder than normal December. Most climate observers reported a mean monthly temperature that was 2°F to 5°F cooler than normal. Temperature extremes for the month were 55°F at Brainerd on the 16th to -28°F at Itasca State Park on the 19th. There were numerous nights of subzero temperatures, mostly in central and northern counties, as well as several days with Wind Chill values from -25°F to -45°F. In fact, with all the subzero temperature readings, Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states on 10 days during the month. With a statewide average monthly temperature of 13.1°F, it was the coldest December since 2013.Precipitation was mixed during the month, with many climate stations reporting above normal values, and many reporting below normal values. The statewide average was about 1 inch, but a large number of climate stations reported over 1.50 inches of precipitation, and some reported over 2 inches (Gull Lake, Austin, and Buffalo among others). Conversely, a number of places reported less than half an inch. Snowfall was mixed as well, with most locations receiving between 6 and 9 inches. A few areas in the north, like Warroad and Grand Marais reported over 18 inches.
Winds were strong during December. Many climate stations reported 30 mph wind gusts on half of the days in the month, while Moorhead and Rochester reported 19 such days. Over the period from December 16th to the 20th, wind gusts of 50 mph or greater were common, with some areas reporting wind gusts over 60 mph.
Comments on Minnesota’s climate of 2025:
The statewide average temperature for 2025 was a little over 43°F making it the 12th warmest in history back to 1895. Nine of the last 10 years in Minnesota have been warmer than normal.The statewide average precipitation for the year 2025 was just under 26.70 inches, slightly above normal for the second year in a row. The year ended with about 26 percent of the state landscape in Moderate Drought and about 4 percent (mostly Carlton and Pine Counties) in Severe Drought.
Only the months of February and December were cooler than normal on a statewide basis, and the autumn season (Sep-Nov) was the 4th warmest in state history.
The Minnesota State Climatology Office4 web site features a more comprehensive look at the climate features of the year 2025 for those who want to read more detail. Pete Boulay highlights the top 5 climate events of the year for Minnesota and comments on other notable weather features as well.
Weekly Weather Potpourri:
A slow-moving winter storm brought heavy snowfall to many parts of the Great Lakes and northeastern USA over December 28-31 this week. Many areas around the Great Lakes (notably Michigan and New York) reported 20 inches or more of snowfall, blown into huge drifts by strong winds. Marquette, MI reported over 32 inches of snowfall. The Weather Underground reported comprehensively on this storm.The United Kingdom Meteorological Office reports that 2025 is likely to be among the three warmest years ever for the United Kingdom. All of the top ten warmest years in the UK back to 1884 have occurred over the past two decades. In 2025 they recorded many record-breaking temperatures during the summer season.
MPR listener question:
You said last week that the wettest place in the state during 2025 was Waseca with 44 inches of precipitation. What is the all-time record for the most annual precipitation in the state? Is it over 50 inches?Answer:
The all-time state annual precipitation record is 60.21 inches at Harmony (Fillmore County) in 2018. There are 32 communities that have reported over 50 inches of annual precipitation at one time or another.Twin Cities Almanac for January 2nd:
The average MSP high temperature for this date is 24 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is11 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation).MSP Local Records for January 2nd:
MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 45 degrees F in 1998; lowest daily maximum temperature of-7 degrees F in 1912; lowest daily minimum temperature of -36 degrees F in 1885; highest daily minimum temperature of 32 degrees F in 2006; and record precipitation of 0.46 inches in 1999. Record snowfall for this date is 6.1 inches also in 1999
Average dew point for January 2nd is 8°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 38°F in 1998 and the minimum dew point on this date is -31 degrees F in 1979
All-time state records for January 2nd:
The state record high temperature for this date is 53 degrees F in Austin (Mower County) in 1944. The state record low temperature for this date is -50 degrees F at St Cloud in 1885 and -50°F at Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) in 1904. The statewide record for precipitation on this date is 1.25 inches at Luverne (Rock County) in 1999. A record 17.0 inches of snow fell at Pigeon River (Cook County) in 1941.Past Weather:
Arctic air had a grip on the state to start the new year in 1885. All areas reported subzero morning temperatures on January 2nd with -50F at St Cloud, -41°F at Duluth, -36°F in the Twin Cities, -32°F at Moorhead. For most areas the daily temperature never climbed above zero.The new year started out very snowy in 1941. Over the first two days of January, many observers reported 6 to 10 inches of snowfall. Along the north shore area in the highlands above Lake Superior observers reported 12 to 18 inches of snowfall to start the year out.
With little or no snow on the ground, many southern and western communities reported record-setting high temperatures on January 2nd of 1944. Afternoon temperatures exceeded 50°F in Chippewa, Yellow Medicine and Mower Counties under sunny skies, and with southerly winds. Railroad workers were seen taking their lunch break outside.
Outlook:
It will be mostly sunny to start the weekend with cooler than normal to near normal temperatures on Saturday. Increasing cloudiness on Sunday, but with warmer temperatures and a chance for snow in some places. Warmer than normal temperatures for Monday through Thursday of next week with a chance for snow or rain on Tuesday.
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