LAMBERTON, Minn. — 2020 was a year of mild weather at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton. February 14th was the coldest day of 2020; temperatures reached a minimum of -19ºF. June 8th was the hottest day of the year; temperatures reached a maximum of 99ºF.
Total annual precipitation for 2020 was 26.62”. The year’s largest rain event was on June 10th with 2.25″ recorded. July was the month with the highest precipitation total with 5.68” recorded. There was a 40-day period of no measurable precipitation from November 14 to December 23.
2020’s largest snow event was 10.6″ on February 9th, contributing the majority of February’s 12.7″ snow total.
October 2020 was unseasonably cold and snowy. The average maximum air temperature was 52ºF compared to a historic average of 61ºF. The monthly snowfall total was 7.20″, with 4″ of that total falling on October 21st.
The SWROC has recorded 16.5” of snow so far in the winter of 2020-2021. As of January 4, 2021, there is 13” of frost under bare ground.
To view the SWROC’s weather information, visit https://swroc.cfans.umn.edu. The website shares daily weather data, precipitation and growing degree day charts, weekly and monthly weather reports and frost depth readings. Visitors can also sign up to receive the SWROC’s weekly weather report via email.
AIR TEMPERATURES | ||||
Month | 2020 Monthly Average | Historic Monthly Average | ||
Max | Min | Max | Min | |
January | 24 | 8 | 23 | 3 |
February | 27 | 9 | 28 | 8 |
March | 43 | 26 | 40 | 21 |
April | 55 | 30 | 56 | 34 |
May | 65 | 46 | 70 | 46 |
June | 84 | 61 | 80 | 57 |
July | 83 | 63 | 84 | 61 |
August | 82 | 60 | 81 | 58 |
September | 72 | 49 | 74 | 48 |
October | 52 | 31 | 61 | 36 |
November | 48 | 27 | 42 | 23 |
December | 36 | 15 | 27 | 9 |
Air temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. |
MONTHLY PRECIPITATION | ||
Month | 2020 | Historic |
January | 0.45 | 0.58 |
February | 0.75 | 0.72 |
March | 2.89 | 1.49 |
April | 1.33 | 2.89 |
May | 3.48 | 3.58 |
June | 4.20 | 4.03 |
July | 5.68 | 3.79 |
August | 3.80 | 3.16 |
September | 1.04 | 3.25 |
October | 1.00 | 2.21 |
November | 1.55 | 1.23 |
December | 0.45 | 0.77 |
Annual Total | 26.62 | 27.70 |
Precipitation totals are in inches. |
— University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center
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