Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS La Crosse, WI

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1036 AM CST Fri Mar 1 2024

...Warmest February in Rochester, MN...

...February 2024 Highlights...

Temperatures - Warmest February

During February 2024, the average temperature was 32.6°F at
Rochester International Airport. This was 13.9°F warmer than the
1991-2020 normal of 18.7°F. This was the warmest February. The
previous record was 32°F in 1931. The average temperature this month
was 0.8°F warmer than the 1991-2020 average for March (31.7°F).
Below are the 10 warmest Februarys.

      Warmest Februarys
       in Rochester MN
         1886-2024

          Average
Rank    Temperature    Year
----    -----------    ----
  1       32.6°F       2024
  2       32.0°F       1931
  3       31.8°F       1954
  4       29.4°F       1998
  5       29.3°F       1987
  6       28.7°F       1930
  7       28.2°F       1976
  8       27.7°F       2012
  9       27.6°F       2017
 10       26.7°F       1992

The average high temperature was 43.3°F. This was 16.6°F warmer than
the 1991-2020 normal of 26.7°F. The previous record was 42.9°F in
1931. It was also 3.2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 average for March
(39.9°F).

The average low temperature was 21.9°F. This was 11.2°F warmer than
the 1991-2020 normal of 10.7°F. This was the 3rd warmest. The only 2
Februarys which were warmer were 1998 (23.6°F) and 1954 (23.1°F).

The warmest high temperature was 69°F on February 26. This was the
warmest ever for February. The previous record was 63°F on February
17, 1981. It was also the warmest temperature for meteorological
winter. The previous record was 64°F on December 4, 2017, and
December 15, 2021.

The coldest high temperature was 17°F on February 28.

The warmest low temperature was 36°F on February 8.

The coldest low temperature was 3°F on February 28.

Precipitation - Below Normal

The total precipitation was 0.34 inches. This was 0.68 inches drier
than the 1991-2020 normal of 1.02 inches.

The wettest day was 0.13 inches on February 15.

Measurable precipitation fell on 4 days (13.8%) and a trace of
precipitation fell on another 2 days (6.9%).

Snowfall - 10th Least

The total snowfall was 2 inches. This was 8.7 inches below the 1991-
2020 normal of 10.7 inches. This was the 10th least. Below are the
10 least amount of snow in February.

    Least Snow in February
       in Rochester MN
         1886-2024

Rank      Snowfall    Year
----      --------    ----
  1     0.2 inches    1954
  2     0.6 inches    1958
  3     0.7 inches    1912
  4     0.8 inches    1964
        0.8 inches    1910
  6     1.4 inches    1995
  7     1.6 inches    1976
  8     1.8 inches    1977
  9     1.9 inches    1996
 10     2.0 inches    2024

The snowiest day was 1.4 inches on February 27.

Measurable snow fell on 3 days (10.3%) and a trace of snow fell on
another day (3.4%).

Snow Depth - - Tied for the least in February

The average snow depth was 0 inches. This was 6 inches below the
1912-2024 average. This was tied with 1913 and 1964 for the least
amount of snow.

The greatest snow depth was 1 inch on February 28.

Measurable snow was on the ground for 1 day (3.4%) and trace amounts
on another 2 days (6.9%).

...Records...

Daily...

February 5 - Record High - 51°F  - Previous record 48°F in 1946
February 6 - Record High - 50°F - Previous record 43°F in 1987
February 7 - Warm Low - 35°F - Previous record 48°F in 1894
February 8 - Record High - 55°F  - Previous record 49°F in 2002
February 8 - Warm Low - 36°F - Previous record 34°F in 1966
February 26 - Record High - 69°F - Previous record 58°F in 1958

Monthly...

Warmest Average Temperature - 32.6°F - Previous record 32°F in 1931

Warmest Average High for February - 43.3°F - Previous record 42.9°F
in 1931

February 26 - Warmest February Temperature - 69°F - Previous
record was 63°F on February 17, 1981.

Seasonal...

February 26 - Warmest Meteorological Winter Temperature - 69°F -
Previous record was 64°F on December 4, 2017 and December 15, 2021.

...Looking Ahead to March...

The normal high temperature in Rochester starts off at 32°F on March
1st and warms to 48°F by the end of the month. The normal low
temperature starts off at 17°F on the 1st and warms to 30°F by the
end of the month. The warmest March temperature on record is 82°F on
March 24, 1910; and the coldest is -31°F on March 1, 1962.

The normal mean temperature for March is 31.7°F. Rochester’s warmest
March occurred in 2012 with an average temperature of 49.1°F, and
its coldest March occurred in 1888 with an average temperature of
17.4°F.

The normal March precipitation is 2.02 inches. The wettest March
occurred in 1888 with 4.02 inches of precipitation and the driest
occurred in 1910 with just a trace of precipitation. The wettest
March day occurred on March 22, 2011, when 2.20 inches of
precipitation fell. Normally, there is 1 day with thunderstorms.

The normal March snowfall is 8.6 inches (4th snowiest month). The
snowiest March occurred in 1951 with 35.1 inches of snow and the
least snow was no snow in 2010. The snowiest March day occurred on
March 18, 2005, when 19.8 inches of snow fell.

$$

Boyne


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