Updraft: June 1, 2010 Archive

June Thunder

Posted at 4:17 AM on June 1, 2010 by Paul Huttner
Filed under: Climate, Severe weather, Springtime, Thunderstorms

Happy meteorological summer!

June 1st marks the start of meteorological summer in the northern hemisphere. The months of June, July & August are the three warmest months of the year in Minnesota, meteorologically speaking. Astronomical summer begins June 21st at 6:28 am CDT.

A cool front is crossing Minnesota today. As the front slides through, the atmosphere is unstable enough to trigger a few scattered thunderstorms. A few of these may reach severe limits. (wind gusts of 59 mph and/or hail 1" in diameter or greater)

Storm Prediction Center paints a slight risk for severe storms into southern Minnesota Tuesday.

With any strong to severe storms that do manage to form, the primary threat will be high winds and hail today. Still, you can never totally rule out an isolated tornado, or gustnado with severe rotating thunderstorms.

There could be scattered storms at any time today but the best chance for severe storms appears to be in a window between 2pm and 9pm. Keep an eye to the sky and have your weather radio handy today.

Warm & dry spring 2010:

May's final sunset on Lake Minnetonka Monday evening.

With temperatures running 1.4 degrees above average in the metro, May closes one of the warmest and driest springs on record in Minnesota.

Here are some numbers for the Twin Cities:

Temperature

March: +8.9 degrees
April: +8.3 degrees
May: +1.4 degrees

Spring 2010: +6.2 degrees!

The Twin Cities recorded 5.51" of rainfall this meteorological spring. That's 1.9" below average.

June: Warm and (usually) wet

June is typically our wettest and 3rd warmest month of the year in Minnesota.

Temperatures and humidity usually climb noticeably in June as summer kicks into high gear by mid month. In the Twin Cities the average high climbs from 75 today, to 82 by month's end. Average lows warm from 54 to 61.

With ample thunderstorms and tropical downpours at times, average rainfall in June is 4.34".

We may get our first shot of June rain today. Most areas, including the Huttner Weather Lab lawn and newly planted vegetable garden can use the rainfall!

PH