HydroClim Minnesota - July 2008
A monthly electronic newsletter summarizing Minnesota's climate conditions and the resulting impact on water resources. Distributed on the Wednesday following the first Monday of each month.
State Climatology Office - DNR Waters
compiled 7/9/2008
What happened in June:
-
June 2008 precipitation totals varied greatly across Minnesota, although most locales reported near to above-average rainfall.
Portions of central, east central, and south central Minnesota received below-average June rainfall. In many locations, most of the rain fell
during the first half of the month. In some cases, heavy early-June rains led to significant flooding.
[see: June 2008 Climate Summary Table] -
The first half of June produced numerous rounds of severe weather and heavy rainfall in Minnesota. Three particularly heavy rainfall events led to notable urban flooding
and damage to agriculture and infrastructure on the rural landscape.
[see: Heavy Rainfall - First Half of June | SE MN Flooding: June 11-12 | SE MN Flooding: June 7-9 | Severe Weather: June 5-6] -
Maintaining a multi-month trend, monthly mean temperatures for June 2008 were below historical averages. June temperatures ranged from one to three degrees
below normal across Minnesota. Extreme temperature values for June ranged from a high of 91 degrees on the 25th at Theilman (Wabasha County), to a low of 29 degrees at Embarrass (St. Louis County) on the 19th.
[see: June 2008 Climate Summary Table]
Where we stand now:
- Much of Minnesota is in the midst of a mid-summer dry spell. For a three-week period during the last two weeks of June and first week of July,
many Minnesota communities received less than one inch of rainfall. This came at a time of year when rainfall rates average roughly one inch per week. Thus,
rainfall deficits over the three-week dry spell were as much as two and one half inches in portions of central and east central Minnesota. Described another way,
three-week rainfall totals were less than 20 percent of normal for the period.
[see: Dry Mid-Summer 2008] -
Growing season precipitation totals to date (April 1 through early July) remain below average in northern sections of the Red River Valley. Elsewhere
across the western one-half of Minnesota, growing season precipitation totals are close to historical averages. In some sections of northeastern and southeastern Minnesota,
growing season rainfall totals surpass the 95th percentile (one year in twenty) when compared to other April-through-June totals in the historical record.
[see: Weekly Precipitation Maps] - The U. S. Drought Monitor, released on July 3, places a small area of northwestern Minnesota in the "D0 - Abnormally Dry" category, an acknowledgement
of lingering moisture deficits from the 2007 growing season. All other Minnesota locales are deemed to be free of drought conditions. The U. S. Drought Monitor index is a blend of
science and subjectivity where intensity categories are based on several indicators.
[see: U.S. Drought Monitor] - The U.S. Geological Survey reports that stream discharge values are near the historical mid-range for the date across most of Minnesota.
Stream flows have dropped below the 25th percentile in a few smaller streams and rivers in central and east central Minnesota.
[see: USGS Streamflow | DNR Streamflow] - The Lake Superior water level is up 16 inches from last year at this time and climbing closer to the long-term average.
[see: Corps of Engineers Great Lakes Water Levels] - The Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service reports that as of July 4, topsoil moisture was 3% "Very Short", 21% "Short",
72% "Adequate", and 4% "Surplus". As of July 4, 72 percent of Minnesota's cornfields and 68 percent of Minnesota's soybean fields were rated in good or excellent condition.
[see: Ag. Statistics Service Crop Progress and Condition] -
The potential for wildfires is rated by DNR Forestry as "Low" across Minnesota.
[see: Fire Danger Rating Map]
Future prospects:
- The July precipitation outlook offers equal chances of above, near, or below average conditions.
July precipitation normals range from just over three inches in far northwestern Minnesota to over four inches in eastern sections of the state.
[see: Climate Prediction Center 30-day Outlook | July Precipitation Normal Map] - The July temperature outlook offers a tilt towards below-normal conditions across southeastern Minnesota, with no significant
tendencies away from climatological probabilities elsewhere. Normal July high temperatures are in the low to mid 80's. Normal July lows are around 60 degrees. July is the warmest
month of the year in Minnesota.
[see: Climate Prediction Center 30-day Outlook | July Temperature Normal Map] - The 90-day precipitation outlook for July through September indicates no significant tendencies away from climatological probabilities across Minnesota.
The July through September temperature projection offers equal chances of above, near, or below average conditions.
[see: Climate Prediction Center 90-day Outlook] - The National Weather Service produces long-range probabilistic river stage and discharge outlooks for the Red River, Minnesota River, and Mississippi River basins. These products are part of the National Weather Service's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS).
[see: National Weather Service River Forecast Center]
From the author:
- None
Notes from around the state:
- None
Upcoming dates of note:
- July 17: National Weather Service releases 30/90 day temperature and precipitation outlooks
Web sites featured in this edition:
- http://climate.umn.edu - Minnesota Climatology Working Group, Minnesota DNR Waters and U of M Dept. of Soil, Water, and Climate
- http://www.drought.unl.edu - National Drought Mitigation Center
- http://water.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/dailyMainW?state=mn&map_type=weekd - U.S. Geological Survey
- http://mndnr.gov/waters - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Waters
- http://www.lre.usace.army.mil - Detroit District, US Army Corps of Engineers
- http://www.nass.usda.gov - USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
- http://mndnr.gov/forestry - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
- http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov - Climate Prediction Center, National Weather Service
- http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ncrfc - North Central River Forecast Center, National Weather Service
Acknowledgements
- None
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