Mark Seeley's State Fair Quiz Answers

Here are the answers to Mark's State Fair Quiz. To take the quiz again, go here.

August is the 8th month of the year. How many months so far in 2007 have brought above normal temperatures to the Twin Cities?
Seven months (only month colder than normal was February 2007)

. What was the coldest temperature recorded in Minnesota last winter?
-42 degrees F at Embarrass on February 4th.

What was the hottest temperature recorded in Minnesota this summer?
101 degrees F at Browns Valley on July 7th

What was the snowiest month in the Twin Cities last winter (2006-2007)?
February with 12.6 inches.

Hurricane Dean struck the Yucatan of Mexico on Tuesday morning of this week. How many named Tropical storms and hurricanes have occurred in the North Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico so far this year?
Five (Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, and Erin).

What significant weather event occurred in Minnesota over August 17-19, 2007?
One of the worst flash floods to ever hit SE Minnesota.

What state weather record was tied on May 13th (Mother's Day) this year?
Daily maximum temperature record of 95 F at Granite Falls and Morris.

On May 11th this year, very poor visibility was reported by a number of eastern Minnesota weather observers. This poor visibility was due to.....
Smoke from the Ham Lake Fire, also detectable on satellite imagery.

Though recent rains have helped alleviate the drought in parts of Minnesota, a significant portion of the state has been designated in Severe Drought Status during the summer months. In which part of the state has the drought been most extreme?
Northeastern and central counties have been in extreme drought.

. What was the approximate total snowfall in the Twin Cities last winter?
35 inches total snowfall about 20 inches less than average.

What is the highest death toll in Minnesota from a flash flood event?
Thirty pioneer settlers perished in the August 6, 1866 flash flood on the Root River.

What is the record number of tornadoes in one year for Minnesota?
74 tornadoes in 2001.

Which Minnesota county has the most average annual precipitation?
Houston County, where average annual precipitation is about 35 inches.

What is notable about the Twin Cities climate record for December of 1943?
Only a trace of precipitation for the month.

What is the 24-hour rainfall record in the state of Minnesota?
10.84 inches at Fort Ripley on July 22, 1972 (exceeded recently by 15.10 inches at Hokah).

Which month is generally the most cloudy in Minnesota?
November.

Which of these locations holds the most statewide daily low temperature records?
Tower holds over 40 daily low-temperature records for the state.

Which of these Minnesota communities holds the most daily snowfall records for the state?
Isabella in the highlands of the North Shore holds 11 snowfall records.

What is most notable in the Twin Cities climate record for 1869?
Wettest year on record with 40.38 inches.

Gary Eichten's hometown of Mankato claims a statewide climate record for the month of December. What is it?
Warmest-ever December 2nd, 69 degrees F in 1998 and golf courses were open.