FROM: Bob Weisman, Earth Sciences - St. Cloud State University

DATE: 4 May 1999

SUBJECT: Normally warm, abnormally dry
         St. Cloud April 2000 Weather Summary


        The dry conditions continued in central Minnesota during April.
Monthly rainfall at St. Cloud was slightly over an inch, more than 1 1/4
inches below normal. This rainfall deficit got the growing season off to
a slow start, especially considering that the fall rainfall was only about 2/3
of the normal amount (4.17 in compared to 6.29 in normal).
        The rainfall problem was not exacerbated by heat as April temperatures
were actually slightly below normal. Still, warm weather during the second
half of the month increased evaporation rates, making the dry spell worse.
        For the first time in 6 years, April snowfall was above normal at
3.3 inches. This raises the 1999-2000 seasonal snowfall to 28.1 inches, still
more than 17 inches below normal and the lowest snowfall total since the
1986-1987 season.


MONTHLY STATISTICS              APR 2000        NORMAL
TEMPERATURE (DEG F)
Average high temp                55.3            55.0
Average low temp                 31.0            32.0
Overall average                  43.2            43.5
Warmest high temperature         78 on the 22nd
Coolest high temperature         35 on the 16th
Mildest low temperature          49 on the 27th
Coldest low temperature          18 on the 12th

RECORDS SET:                     none

PRECIPITATION
Total melted precip (in)         1.01            2.36
Most in 24 hours                  .36 on the 19th

SNOWFALL (in)                     3.3             2.7
Most in 24 hours                  1.3 on the 12th
Seasonal snowfall (Oct-Apr)      28.1            45.6

Return to the Climate Journal