Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Historic May Heat

(This just in from the State Climatology Office....yesterday's heat was truly historic).

On May 19, the mercury reached 97 at the Twin Cities International Airport. This was the warmest temperature recorded in the Twin Cities for so early in the season. the previous first date of a temperature of 97 degrees or above was May 22, 1925. In fact, there are only three years in which the temperature has been 97 or above in May. Those years are: 1925, 1934 and 2006. The warmest temperature ever recorded at the Twin Citeis official observing site in May is 106 on May 31, 1934. Looking at 1890 to 2008 only about half the years reach 97 degrees as the warmest temperature for the year. Another interesting aspect about the temperatures on May 19 was the extreme range found in the state at the same time. At 4 pm it was 34 in Grand Marais, with a chilly breeze off Lake Superior, at the same time it was 100 at Granite Falls, a difference of 66 degrees. A temperature range of 40 degrees at the same time in Minnesoata happens on occasion, but a range of 60 degrees or more would be quite rare, and a range of 66 degrees may be unique.




Weather Headlines

* Record heat grips the southern third of Minnesota Tuesday, 97 in the Twin Cities, 94 in Rochester, 100 degrees reported at Granite Falls, nearly 30 degrees warmer than average.

* Grand Marais: Tuesday afternoon temperatures hold in the mid 30s, nearly a 70 degree temperature contrast across the state!

* Today: nearly as hot, low to mid 90s south, near 90 central, 70s up north.

* Wind advisory posted for gusts as high as 45 mph. Blowing dust a real problem, especially for people with contact lenses and respiratory problems/allergies.

* Today's record high: 91. We should break that by 3 pm.

* T-storms reach the Red River Valley late Wednesday, spreading across the rest of Minnesota Thursday morning.

* Weak bubble of high pressure keeps most of the rain/storms over Iowa and Nebraska Friday, Saturday and Sunday.... risk of showers, T-storms increases on Memorial Day (few hours of rain possible).

* Weekend temperatures much closer to average for late May, 60s north, 70s south.

Paul's Outlook

Today: Wind Advisory. Faded sunshine, very windy & hot. Winds: SW 15-35. Winds gust to 45 mph at times. High: 93 (new record)

Tonight: Clouds increase, growing risk of a T-storm, turning cooler. Low: 62

Thursday: Still unsettled, a few scattered showers and T-storms possible. Getting sunnier by afternoon. Turning noticeably cooler. High: near 70

Friday: Plenty of sunshine, closer to average for late May. High: 73

Saturday: Partly cloudy and pleasant. High: 74

Sunday: Sun gives way to increasing clouds, a few PM showers (best chance south). High: 73

Memorial Day: More clouds, much better chance of showers, a few T-storms. High: 71


For a detailed list of most Minnesota towns, yesterday's highs, and comprehensive weather information for the past 5 days (including highs/lows/precipitation) click here.


(Here is more information from the local NWS office on yesterday's record heat).

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
744 PM CDT TUE MAY 19 2009

...VERY WARM TEMPERATURES FOR MID-MAY ACROSS THE AREA ON TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...

A WARM FRONT LIFTED NORTH ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA ON TUESDAY
AFTERNOON STEERING IN WINDY...DRY...AND VERY WARM TEMPERATURES.
RECORD HIGHS WERE REACHED IN A FEW COMMUNITIES...INCLUDING THE
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

.WARMEST HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE LOCAL AREA...

STATION TUESDAY HIGH TEMP
------------------------------------------
GRANITE FALLS 100
MADISON 99
MONTEVIDEO 99
OWATONNA 99
REDWOOD FALLS 99
CANBY 98
OLIVIA 98
BENSON 97
EDEN PRAIRIE 97
FARIBAULT 97
MANKATO 97
MINNEAPOLIS 97
WILLMAR 97



.RECORD HIGHS FOR MAY 19TH...

NOTE THAT PERIODS OF RECORD MAY VARY.

STATION TUESDAY HIGH TEMP OLD RECORD HIGH TEMP YEAR
--------------------------------------------------------------
MADISON 99 93 1998
MANKATO 97 94 1955
MINNEAPOLIS 97 89 1977
1978
MONTEVIDEO 99 97 1911



.NEAR RECORDS FOR MAY 19TH...

NOTE THAT PERIODS OF RECORD MAY VARY.

STATION TUESDAY HIGH TEMP OLD RECORD HIGH TEMP YEAR
--------------------------------------------------------------
FARIBAULT 97 102 1934
NEW ULM 95 103 1934
REDWOOD FALLS 99 104 1934

FOR THE ABOVE THREE SITES...THE TUESDAY HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS THE
SECOND WARMEST FOR MAY 19TH.

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