Dead bang on average

As our cool spring fades gradually toward summer it is interesting to note that by some measures we are pretty close to an average Minnesota spring.

It surprised me a little bit to find after checking this morning that our last 32 degree reading at Twin Cities Airport was on April 29th when we dipped to 30 degrees. That's dead on average for that location. In fact the coolest temperature we've recorded since then was 37 back on May 2nd.

Median frost dates

Last year our last frost in the spring was on April 14th, which gave us a long growing season over 190 days. The average is 160 days.

Looking ahead, I'd say there is at least a 70% chance we have seen our last frost in the metro. There is a chance we'll se some cool mornings around here near Memorial Day weekend, but then the pattern looks much warmer in about 14 days as the big bad James Bay polar vortex breaks down and shifts east.

It is interesting to see how weather forecasts have "warmed up" a bit over the past few days to include the prospect for 70 degree highs. There were a whole bunch of 68 or 69 degree forecasts until yesterday. Perhaps that old Minnesota "forecaster group think" reared its head again.

Let's see if we hit 70 over the next 3 days.

As the jet stream lifts ever so slightly to our north and east, we will enjoy more sun, less wind, and slightly milder temps.

PH