Unseasonably cold air filtered in behind a storm that left a blanket of snow over Minnesota. The deepest snow was over the Northland and that is where the majority of the record minimum temperatures set.

After receiving record 9 inches of snow for November 4th, International Falls had a record low minimum of -9 on November 7th. This broke the old record of -5 set back in 1991. On November 8th the record low was smashed with a temperature of -13. The old record was 1 above zero back in 1979.

The record cold was recently featured in the November 14th edition of Mark Seeley's Weather Talk. Here is an excerpt from that edition about the cold.

Topic: More cold records in November....

Despite some recent moderation, temperatures for the first two
weeks of November have averaged 6 to 10 degrees cooler than 
normal around the state.  Record cold temperatures occurred 
on November 7, 8, and 9....the table below shows these records.

For November 7th...

International Falls reported a record low of -9 F
Grand Forks, ND reported a record low of -9 F and a record 
cold maximum temperature of 12 F
Duluth reported a record cold maximum temperature of just 16 F

For November 8th...

Duluth reported a record cold maximum temperature of 19 F
and a record low of -5 F
International Falls reported a record low of -13 F
Warroad reported a record low of -7 F and a record cold 
maximum temperature of 11 F
Embarrass reported a record low of -19 F
Hibbing reported a record low of -11 F
Canby reported a record low of -3 F
Grand Forks, ND reported a record low of -13 F
Crookston reported a record cold maximum temperature of 7 F
Fergus Falls reported a record cold maximum temperature of 13 F
Aitkin reported a record low of -4 F and a record cold
maximum temperature of 14 F

For November 9th...

Redwood Falls reported a record low of 3 F
Lamberton reported a record low of 4 F

Bare soil froze up for the first time under these conditions, in
some areas going to a depth of 5 inches.  However the recent 
moderation in temperature has allowed the soil to thaw.  The
climate trend for the rest of November is expected to be warmer
than normal, so for those who still may have to work the soil,
perhaps taking soil samples or planting garden bulbs, this is the
last call!!

Return to Minnesota Climatology Working Group Main Page

URL: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/cold031107_09.htm
Last modified: November 14, 2003