This is a summary report of weather that occurred at my station in West Downtown Rochester and the Rochester Airport. 2012 will be a year to remember for many people as a year with a very early spring and hot and rather dry year. It ended out being the hottest year on record for parts of Southeastern Minnesota. I will have the happenings of 2012 into month by month statements. Information below will be from my station and yard. Below this statement I will have a statement with a summary of weather conditions from the official airport 7 miles South of my station as well. Information of records in both statements are based on records from the airport.
My Station/yard-West Downtown Rochester
Month by month
January: Average High 33.F, Average Low 18.F. Warm month, Record daily highs broken. 57.F seen the 5th. 3/4ths of the seasons total snow fell in this month 9.45″
February: Average High 37.F, Average Low 22.F Warm month 50.F the 2nd, NO days fell below zero. Lack of snow 2.75″ but abundance of rain 1.62″ Ice Storm seen on the 28th-29th. Very early start to spring, Crocus were in bloom by February 27th
March: Average High 61.F, Average Low 42.F Warmest March in recorded history, 83.F the 17th and 18th, Dry, Only trace of snow reported, 1.00″ of rain. Only 8 days with lows below 32.F Extremely early start to spring, tulips in bloom, trees leafing out and lawns being mowed by months end.
April: Average High 61.F Average Low 41.F Much cooler and wetter, Freezing temperatures the 10th 11th and 12th, average high ended out the same as March. 77.F seen on April 24th, Trace snow reported, 2.59″ of rain.
May: Average High 76.F, Average Low 54.F Warm and moderately wet. 94.F seen on May 18th.
June:Average High 84.F, Average Low 61.F Warm, Wettest month of the year 5.82″ of rain fell. Severe Thunderstorm reported the 14th with damaging winds. 95.F seen on June 19th
July: Average High 91.F, Average Low 68.F Very hot, Warmest month of the year. Average was 91.F. 102.F, hottest of the year seen on the 6th.
August: Average High 83.F, Average Low 60.F Very hot and very dry. Month ended out well below normal in rain. 100.F seen on the 30th. Severe Storm reported in the 4th with damaging winds.
September: Average High 77.F, Average Low 48.F Warm and extreamlly dry. 96.F seen on the 4th. Dry warm fall lead to very dull fall colors. Severe Thunderstorm reported in the 5th, worst storm of 2012 Damaging winds reported.
October: Average High 58.F, Average Low 38.F Cooler and slightly wetter 80.F seen on the 3rd
November: Average High 48.F, Average low 30.F Extremely dry and warm. Lacking snow. 67.F seen on the 22nd. Got through entire month without accumulating snowfall.
December: Average High 33.F, Average Low 18.F Warm and wetter, 62.F seen on the 3rd. Longest stretch of days not going below zero 348 days between January last winter and December. 1st Winter Storm in one year.
Yearly Occurrences
Rainfall 28.21″ -4.78″ below normal
Snowfall 2011-2012 Winter Season 18.70″-33.30″ below normal
Yearly Average Temperature 52.F
Warmest month on average July 91.F Coldest month of average January and December 33.F
Days with highs at or above 90.F 39 days, Days with lows below zero 3 days.
Highest snow depth 5.74″ January 25th
Rainiest month June 5.82″
Snowiest Month January 9.45″
Highest Wind gust 74MPH WSW September 5th severe storm
Severe Thunderstorm Days, 3
Winter Storms 2011-2012 Winter Season, 0
Offical Rochester International Airport
Month by month
January, Average High 31.F, Average Low 14.F
February, Average High 35.F, Average Low 20.F
March, Average High 59.F, Average Low 39.F ( Warmest in recorded history)
April, Average High 60.F, Average Low 38.F
May, Average High 74.F, Average Low 52.F
June, Average High 82.F, Average Low 60.F
July, Average High 87.F, Average Low 67.F
August, Average High 80.F, Average Low 58.F
September Average High 76.F, Average Low 48.F
October, Average High 58.F, Average Low 39.F
November, Average High 48.F, Average Low 29.F
December Average High 33.F, Average Low 16.F
Yearly Occurrences
24.85″ of water Precipitation fell through the year
Snowfall 2011-2012 Winter Season 20.6″
Yearly Average Temperature 50.F ( Warmest in recorded history)
2nd warmest Summer on Record
Rainiest Month May 4.85″
Snowiest Month January 8.10″
Highest Wind Gust 69MPH from the NW May 26th- Severe Thunderstorm