If you guessed 2016 was wetter than usual, you’d be right. It was warmer, too.
Totals from the Tracy Airport show that 33.19 inches of rain fell in Tracy in 2016, which is about 10” more than historic norms.
July was easily the wettest month in 2016, with 6.02 inches of rain. August saw 4.21 inches of rain, followed by April (3.18 inches) and September (3.15 inches).
Precipitation at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton totalled 37.79.” The historic norm at Lamberton is 37.79.” Monthly totals were: Jan.: 5.70 inches (5.40 snow); Feb.: 12.28 inches (11.60 snow); March: 14.20 inches (12.20 snow); April: 3.36 inches (all rain); May: 5.56 inches; June: 2.59 inches; July: 6.92 inches; Aug.: 5.30 inches; Sept.: 5.26 inches; Oct.: 2.82 inches; Nov.: 7.25 inches (5.40 snow); Dec.: 10.75 inches (9.6 snow).
Thanks to the infamous El Nino weather pattern, record warm months dominated 2016 across the globe, and Minnesota wasn’t immune to the warmth.
The average global temperature in November was more than 1.3 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 55.2 degrees, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Record warmth also hit in January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August, and September was the second warmest month on record.
The year 2016 continued a trend temperature-wise. 2015 went down as the state of Minnesota’s sixth warmest recorded year in history, and there was penny of warmth last year as well. July was the hottest month, average-wise, at 82 degrees, with June and August coming in at 81. The average high for November was a balmy 52, according to the Southwest Research and Outreach Center.
The monthly average temperatures in 2016, by month, were as follows: Jan.: 24 (high)/7 (low); Feb. 31: 31/17; March: 48/29; April: 59/36; May: 71/46; June: 81/60; July: 82/62; Aug.: 81/60; Sept.: 74/53; Oct.: 62/38; Nov. 52/32; Dec. 24/12.
Along with all the warmth, there was plenty of precipitation in the area as well.
Average temperatures, by month, in 2016
Month High Low
Jan. 24 7
Feb. 31 17
March 48 29
April 59 36
May 71 46
June 81 60
July 82 62
Aug. 81 60
Sept. 74 53
Oct. 62 38
Nov. 52 32
Dec. 24 12