Minnesota WeatherTalk Newsletter for Friday, January 7th, 2011 To: MPR Morning Edition Crew From: Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota Extension Dept of Soil, Water, and Climate Subject: Minnesota WeatherTalk Newsletter for Friday, January 7th, 2011 Headlines: -Cold continues -Overlooked feature of 2010 weather -Experimental Extreme Cold Warning -Weekly Weather Potpourri -MPR listener question -Almanac for January 7th -Past weather features -Feeding storms -Outlook Topic: Cold continues to start 2011 Following a colder than normal December, January is continuing the pattern as mean temperatures are averaging 5 to 9 degrees F colder than normal through the first week of the month. Minnesota has reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states four times so far this month, the coldest being -33 degrees F at Bigfork on the 3rd. In fact several places including Bemidji, International Falls, Bigfork, Babbit, and Cass Lake have recorded -30 degrees F or colder already this month. Temperatures are expected to continue colder than normal well into the third week of the month, with perhaps some moderation in temperature and a January thaw during the last ten days of the month. Topic: Overlooked feature of 2010 weather In my write-up and radio comments of last week about significant weather in 2010 several people mentioned that I overlooked the flash flood event in southern Minnesota over September 22-23, 2010 affecting at least 19 counties. One of the largest flash floods in history, this storm produced rainfall amounts greater than 10 inches in some places (11.06 inches near Winnebago) and near record flood crests on many Minnesota watersheds. Indeed several roads and highways were flooded and closed. You can read more about this weather event from 2010 at... http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff100924.htm Topic: Experimental Extreme Cold Warning Several regional National Weather Service Offices, including Minneapolis and Duluth are participating in the trial use of an Extreme Cold Warning. This warning is triggered by expected low temperatures of -20 to -25 degrees F or colder. In the absence of very cold temperatures coupled with any significant wind which would normally lead to wind chill advisories and warnings, this warning will be issued to the public based on actual air temperatures that fall to dangerous levels. Other NWS offices in North and South Dakota will be using this warning as well. Its usefulness will be evaluated after the winter season. Weekly Weather Potpourri: More heavy snow was falling in Scotland this week, closing schools in some areas. According to the United Kingdom Meteorological Office December of 2010 was the coldest in the country since comprehensive records began in 1910. The month was dominated by cold, near record-setting temperatures and snow. Only five months in history have been colder than December 2010 in the United Kingdom: January 1940, February 2947, January 1963, February 1963, and February 1986. You can read more about this at..... http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2011/cold-dec For Australia, 2010 was the 3rd wettest year in history and the especially heavy doses of rainfall in November and December produced widespread flooding there, especially throughout Queensland. Many areas received 15-20 inches of rainfall in December alone. Several rivers were well above flood stage and with showers in the forecast for this week they were expected to stay that way well into the new year. Portions of northern India have been in the grip of a cold wave this week with several deaths from exposure reported. Temperatures in Delhi fell as low as 39 degrees F, coldest of the winter so far. In parts of Kashmir temperatures were as cold as -10 degrees F for two days. MPR Listener Question: How did the 2010 mean temperature and total precipitation rank relative to state history? Did some record their wettest year in history? Answer: According to the Minnesota State Climatology Office preliminary climate data for 2010 indicate that it was the 9th warmest year on a statewide basis, but the 2nd wettest (trailing only 1977). The statewide average precipitation for 2010 was 33.44 inches. Indeed some observers did report their wettest year in history. These included: Wabasha with 49.92 inches, Caledonia with 49.01 inches, La Crescent with 48.07 inches, Hutchinson 41.71 inches, Marshall 43.86 inches, Pipestone 39.02 inches, Winnebago 44.53 inches, Amboy 44.08 inches, and Mora 41.71 inches. You can read more about the 2010 climate summary at the Minnesota Climatology Working Group web site.... http://www.climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/warm_wet_2010.htm Almanac for January 7th: The average MSP high temperature for this date is 21 degrees F (plus or minus 13 degrees standard deviation), while the average low is 5 degrees F (plus or minus 15 degrees standard deviation). MSP Local Records for January 7th: MSP weather records for this date include: highest daily maximum temperature of 52 degrees F in 2003; lowest daily maximum temperature of -11 degrees F in 1887; lowest daily minimum temperature of -34 degrees F in 1887; highest daily minimum temperature of 34 degrees F in 1965; record precipitation of 0.30 inches in 1989; record snowfall of 3.6 inches in 1989. Average dew point for January 7th is 5 degrees F, with a maximum of 37 degrees F in 1965 and a minimum of -33 degrees F in 1976. All-time state records for January 7th: Scanning the state climatic data base: the all-time high for this date is 59 degrees F at New Ulm (Brown County) in 1933 and at Amboy (Blue Earth County) in 2003; the all-time low is -54 degrees F at International Falls (Koochiching County) in 1909. The all-time record precipitation amount for this date is 2.50 inches at Hutchinson (McLeod County) in 1999. The state record daily snowfall for this date is 36.0 inches at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center near Finland (Lake County) in 1994. Past Weather Features: January 7, 1873 began as a mild day with temperatures near 32 degrees F. But a massive winter storm brought blizzard conditions to the state by late in the day. The blizzard raged for most of 3 days, dropping temperatures into the -20 F and bringing several inches of snowfall. Over 70 deaths were reported, many livestock were lost, and the railroads were paralyzed for days due to high drifts. On January 7, 1909 northern Minnesota residents were caught in the midst of an arctic cold wave. Over 20 communities reported temperatures of -30 degrees F or colder. At International Falls the temperature remained below zero F from midday on the 4th to midday on January 13, a period of 216 consecutive hours. During that time the thermometer read -50 degrees F or colder on three days and climbed no higher than - 29 degrees F on January 6. January 7-9, 1969 brought a blizzard to central and northern Minnesota communities. Even though snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 10 inches, winds up to 50 mph piled huge drifts across roads and highways, causing many closures. Most schools were closed for at least two days. January 6-8, 1989 brought a blizzard to Red River Valley communities in Minnesota. Many observers reported over a foot of snowfall (17 to 18 inches at Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls) driven by winds of 35 to 50 mph. Both Interstates 94 and 29 were closed for a period of time. The abundant snowfall that melt helped contribute to flooding on the Red River later that spring. Record-setting snowfall occurred over the north shore (Lake Superior) region of Minnesota on January 6-7, 1994. Duluth reported 24.5 inches and Two Harbors reported 18 inches of snowfall. At Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center near Finland snowfall of 45 inches was measured over the two days, an incredible 36 inches coming on the 7th. Snow depth there was 49 inches, meaning snowshoes were mandatory to walk around outside. They reported a record 59.6 inches of snowfall in January of 1994. Words of the Week: Feeding storms This terminology is not used in the USA but more in Scotland. It refers to a snow storm that simply adds to the snow already on the landscape. Thus after permanent snow cover is established early in the winter season, one could argue that all snow storms are "feeding storms", adding to the quantity of snow cover. Given the existing spring snow melt flood threat already present on many Minnesota watersheds, we hope that the rest of the winter brings fewer "feeding storms" to our state. Outlook: Cold and dry over the weekend, with increasing clouds late on Sunday and a chance for flurries. Chance of light snow for Monday and Tuesday and continued colder than normal conditions next week. Increasing chance for snow towards next weekend. Further Information: For older versions of the "Minnesota WeatherTalk" newsletter go to http://www.climate.umn.edu/weathertalk/ For access to other information resources go to http://www.climate.umn.edu/Seeley/ NOTE: News releases were current as of the date of issue. If you have a question on older releases, use the news release search (upper left-hand column of the News main page) or the main Extension search (upper right of this page) to locate more recent information. Community \ Environment \ Family \ Farm \ Garden \ Living Home \ Search \ Product Catalog \ News \ Workshops \ Online Shopping About Extension \ Extension Offices Online Privacy Statement. Contact Information. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Copyright © Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Minnesota WeatherTalk Newsletter for Friday, January 14th, 2011 To: MPR Morning Edition Crew From: Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota Extension Dept of Soil, Water, and Climate Subject: Minnesota WeatherTalk Newsletter for Friday, January 14th, 2011 Headlines: -Cold and snow a constant theme -Kathy Ericksen retirement -Weekly Weather Potpourri -MPR listener question -Almanac for January 14th -Past weather features -Bogged -Outlook Topic: Cold and snow is a constant theme Through the first two weeks of January, Minnesota has reported the lowest temperature in the 48 contiguous states on seven days.