Spotty climate pattern to start August

Spotty climate pattern to start August:

After enduring many weather/climate challenges in July, Minnesota citizens have seen a somewhat benign and spotty climate pattern emerge for the first week of August. Some areas of the state have recorded average temperatures that are near normal or 1-2°F above normal, while others have recorded mostly below normal temperatures. Atmospheric water vapor content has fallen dramatically from what it was in July, with many days bringing dew points in the 40s and 50s F, a much more comfortable range. Many places have reported daytime high temperatures in the 70s and 80s F. Over August 2nd, observers in northwestern Minnesota (Red Lake, Polk, and Clay Counties) reported afternoon high temperatures in the 90s F, while on August 5th the observer at Brimson (St Louis County) reported a morning low temperature of just 36°F.

Rainfall has mostly been sparse or absent, except for portions of south-central and southeastern Minnesota where many climate observers have reported 2-3 inches of rainfall so far. Much needed rainfall was welcome in northern Minnesota on August 3rd when amounts up to an inch were reported from areas around the BWCA where wildfires are still an issue. In south-central and southeastern counties some record daily rainfall amounts were delivered by thunderstorms over August 3rd. Some of these records were:

3.25 inches at Grand Meadow (Mower County)
2.38 inches at Winnebago (Faribault County)
2.24 inches at Hokah (Houston County)
2.18 inches at Albert Lea (Freeborn County)
1.90 inches at Preston (Fillmore County)

However, for much of the rest of the state rainfall has been less than half an inch so far this month. The U.S. Drought Monitor this week places 36 percent of the Minnesota landscape in Moderate Drought and 34 percent in Severe Drought. USDA reports this week estimate that 75 percent of the state corn and soybean crops are in good to excellent condition thanks to adequate stored soil moisture from last fall and earlier this year.

Crop producers who attended Farmfest this week near Morton, MN were encouraged to hear that more than the usual amount of rain is forecast for the period through the first 3 weeks of August, as crop yield potential can still benefit from the additional moisture.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

The BBC Weather Center reported this week that July was the driest in history (190 years of records) for England and Wales. For England average rainfall was just a quarter of an inch, while in Wales the average was 0.37 inches. Very warm temperatures also accompanied the dryness, with England recording its 2nd warmest ever July, and Wales recording its warmest July. The month of July was also the sunniest on record.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Typhoon Dolphin was expected to pass across Okinawa in the Western Pacific on Friday this week. It was generating wind gusts to 110-115 mph and sea wave heights of 40 feet. It is expected to carry on towards the coast of China over the weekend and early next week.

MPR listener question:

As we plan to take our 4-Hers to the State Fair this year, many have been wondering about the weather during the fair. What is the average number of days when the maximum temperature hits 90°F during the State Fair.

Answer:

Historically, the average number of days with a maximum temperature of 90°F or greater is about 2 days. There have been years when 4-5 days bring such temperatures but those are pretty rare. Overnight low temperatures usually range from 57°F to 62°F, but have been as low as 34°F

Speaking of the State Fair, I will be there at the MPR stage on August 28th, at 10 am to be a talk weather on TPT-Almanac program with Cathy Wurzer and Eric Eskola; and again on Friday, September 4th at Dan Patch Park at 10 am for the 30th Annual State Fair Weather Quiz on Minnesota Public Radio. Please drop by if you are at the fair.

Twin Cities Almanac for August 7th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 82 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is.64 degrees F (plus or minus 6 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for August 7th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 98 degrees F in 2001; lowest daily maximum temperature of 61 degrees F in 1917; lowest daily minimum temperature of 45 degrees F in 1972; highest daily minimum temperature of 76 degrees F in 2001, and record precipitation of 2.29 inches in 1984. No snowfall has occurred on this date.

Average dew point for August 7th is 60°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 77°F in 2001 and the minimum dew point on this date is 42 degrees F in 1989.

All-time statewide records for August 7th:

The state record high temperature for this date is.105 degrees F at Lower St Anthony Falls (Hennepin County) in 2001. The state record low temperature for this date is 29 degrees F at Brimson (St Louis County) in 1989. The statewide record for precipitation on this date is 8.62 inches at St Peter (Nicollet County) in 1968. No snow has fallen on this date.

Past Weather:

Strong thunderstorms brought heavy rain to many parts of southern Minnesota over August 7-8 of 1968. Many observers reported 1 to 3 inches of rain. Wells (Faribault County) reported nearly 5 inches of rain, Mankato (Blue Earth County) reported over 7.50 inches, and St Peter (Nicollet County) reported over 9 inches of rain. The Minnesota River rose abruptly flooding some nearby farm fields.

August 7 of 1989 brought a very cold morning to northern Minnesota. Many observers reported low temperatures in the 30s F. There were even frosts reported in portions of St Louis County. Many areas also reported afternoon high temperatures in the 60s with cool northerly winds.

August 7 of 2001 brought record to near record heat to much of southern Minnesota. Many climate stations reported maximum temperatures in the mid to upper 90s F, with Heat Index Values even higher. Overnight low temperatures ranged from the mid to upper 70s F. It was a grueling and tragic week for the Minnesota Vikings training camp in Mankato as earlier in the week they lost star tackle Kory Stringer who died from Heat Stroke.

Outlook:

Near normal temperatures over the weekend with chances for showers and thunderstorms Saturday night in southern sections of the state. Continued near normal or even cooler than normal temperatures next week with chances for rain on Monday, and again Tuesday in the northern sections of the state.