Updraft: September 14, 2009 Archive

September Summer: Warmest stretch this year?

Posted at 8:14 AM on September 14, 2009 by Paul Huttner (3 Comments)

Twin Cities NWS forecasting 80s again through Tuesday.

Call it July in September.

Our weather winning streak is now at 7 days. That's the number of consecutive days at or above 80 degrees if (when!) we hit 80 today in the metro. It looks like we could continue the streak through at least Wednesday. That would be 9 days in a row of 80 or better. If that occurs it will be the longest stretch of 80 degree plus weather this year. In September.

It's remarkable that temperatures have not hit 80 more than 8 days in a row this summer considering our average high is at or above 80 degrees from June 18th through August 20th. Here are the number of consecutive days the temperature has reached at least 80 degrees this summer in the metro.

May: 3days
June: 6 days
July: 3 days
August: 8 days
September: 7 days after today and counting

September is running about 5 degrees above average so far in the Twin Cities. It's also the first month we've been above average since May. (+1.5)

Our mild weather pattern looks like it will hold through this week and into next weekend. We may "cool" a bit into the 70s for highs, but there are some indications we could still be near 80 in parts of Minnesota next weekend.

Enjoy the late summer surge. There are signs of a major pattern change within two weeks.

PH

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Drought creeping back into Minnesota

Posted at 2:43 PM on September 14, 2009 by Paul Huttner (4 Comments)

Our beautiful late summer surge is coming with a price. It's getting dry out there again.

A paltry .01" of rainfall has been recorded in the rain gauge at Twin Cities International Airport this month. That's already over and inch( -1.31") below average.

In Rochester and La Crosse there has been no rain this month. That marks the second longest streak that no rain has fallen in September. According to the Weather Channel, the longest stretch of days without rain in September for La Crosse is 16 days set back in 1893. For Rochester it's 18 days set in 1998.

This continues the trend of dryness and drought we have seen in much of the region for the past 15 months. Much of the area benefitted from heavy rainfall in August. We will need to get ample rainfall before the ground freezes up in late November to assure drough conditions do not persist into 2010.

Enjoy the nice week ahead, and hope for rain sometime in the next few weeks!

PH

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