2019-20 Astronomical Winter Summary

The 2019-20 astronomical winter (which ran from December 21st through March 18th) was much warmer-than-average and slightly wetter-than-average at both La Crosse WI and Rochester MN. This was the earliest end of an astronomical winter since 1896 (ended at 8:23 PM CST on March 19).

Below are more details on each of these sites...

La Crosse WI...

Temperatures - 10th Warmest

During astronomical winter, temperatures averaged 27.7°F at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 7°F warmer than the long-term (1872-2020) average of 20.7°F. This made it the 10th warmest winter and the warmest winter since 2016-17 (average temperature of 29.4°F - tied for 3rd warmest with 1881-82). 3 out of the last 5 winters are among the 14 warmest astronomical winters. The following table lists the 20 warmest astronomical winters for La Crosse WI.

Warmest Astronomical Winters
in La Crosse WI
1872-2020

Average
Rank Temperature Winter
---- ----------- ------
1 36.5 degrees 1877-78
2 30.7 degrees 2011-12
3 29.4 degrees 2016-17
29.4 degrees 1881-82
5 28.9 degrees 1986-87
28.9 degrees 1930-31
7 28.6 degrees 2005-06
8 28.5 degrees 1991-92
9 28.0 degrees 1997-98
10 27.7 degrees 2019-20
11 27.5 degrees 1989-90
12 27.4 degrees 1999-2000
13 27.2 degrees 1920-21
14 27.1 degrees 2015-16
15 26.9 degrees 2001-02
16 26.4 degrees 1972-73
17 26.1 degrees 1943-44
18 25.9 degrees 1932-33
19 25.8 degrees 1982-83
20 25.7 degrees 1879-80

The average high temperature was 36.3°F. This was 6.8°F warmer than the long-term average of 29.5°F. This was tied with 2005-06 for the 9th warmest and it was the warmest since 2016-17 (37.1°F - 4th warmest).

The average low temperature was 19°F. This was 7°F warmer than the long-term average of 12.0°F. This was tied with 1972-73 for the 12th warmest and it was the warmest since 2016-17 (21.6°F - tied for 3rd warmest with 1991-92).

The warmest high temperature was 65°F on March 8.
The coldest high temperature was 9°F on January 16.
The warmest low temperature was 45°F on March 8.
The coldest low temperature was -16°F on February 14.

Precipitation - Slightly Wetter-than-Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 4.10" of precipitation fell at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 0.40" wetter than the long-term (1872-2020) average of 3.70".
Wettest day occurred on February 9 when 0.74" of precipitation fell.
Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) precipitation fell on 29 days (32.6%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 15 days (16.9%).

Snowfall - Slightly Below Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 26.6" of snow fell near La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 2.6" less than the long-term average (1896-2020) of 29.2".
Snowiest day occurred on February 9 when 8.5" of snow fell.
Measurable (0.1 inches or greater) snow fell on 18 days (20.2%) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 17 days (19.1%).

Snow Depth - Slightly Below Average

During astronomical winter, the average snow depth near La Crosse Regional Airport was 3.7". This was 0.7" below the long-term (1893-2019) average of 4.4".
Measurable snow (a half-inch or greater) was on the ground on 58 days or 65.2% of the season.
Greatest snow depth was 11" on February 10.
There was no snow on the ground on 25 days or 28.1% of the season.

Rochester, MN...

Temperatures - Tied for 18th Warmest with 1943-44

During astronomical winter, temperatures averaged 22.4°F at Rochester International Airport. This was 4.8°F warmer than the long-term (1886-2020) average of 17.6°F. It was tied with 1943-44 for the 18th warmest astronomical winter. This was the warmest winter since 2016-17 (24.1°F - 8th warmest). 3 out of the last 5 winters are among the 18 warmest astronomical winters. The following table lists the 20 warmest astronomical winters for Rochester MN.

Warmest Astronomical Winters
in Rochester MN
1886-2020

Average
Rank Temperature Winter
---- ----------- ------
1 29.5 degrees 2011-12
2 27.6 degrees 1930-31
3 26.5 degrees 1986-87
4 26.1 degrees 2005-06
5 25.8 degrees 1991-92
6 24.9 degrees 1989-90
7 24.2 degrees 1982-83
8 24.1 degrees 2016-17
9 23.6 degrees 1999-2000
10 23.5 degrees 1997-98
11 23.3 degrees 2015-16
12 23.1 degrees 2015-16
13 22.8 degrees 1932-33
14 22.6 degrees 1972-73
22.6 degrees 1963-64
16 22.5 degrees 1980-81
22.5 degrees 1932-33
18 22.4 degrees 2019-20
22.4 degrees 1943-44
20 22.1 degrees 1941-42

The average high temperature was 29.8°F. This was 3.4°F warmer than the long-term average of 26.4°F. This was the 25th warmest.

The average low temperature was 15°F. This was 6.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 8.8°F. This was the 13th warmest.

The warmest high temperature was 54°F on March 8.
The coldest high temperature was 2°F on January 16 and February 13 (record coldest high for this date).
The warmest low temperature was 39°F on March 8.
The coldest low temperature was -24°F on February 14 (record low for this date).

Precipitation - Slightly Wetter than Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 3.47" of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport. This was 0.47" wetter the long-term (1886-2020) average of 3".
Wettest day occurred on February 9 when 0.74" of precipitation fell.
Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) precipitation fell on 26 days (29.2%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 16 days (18%).

Snowfall - Slightly Above Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 30.1" snow fell near Rochester International Airport. This was 2.2" above the long-term (1908-2020) average of 27.9".
Snowiest day occurred on February 9 when 9.6" of snow fell.
Measurable (0.1 inches or greater) snow fell on 19 days (21.3%) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 16 days (18%).

Snow Depth - Same as the Long-Term Average

During astronomical winter, the average snow depth near Rochester International Airport was 5.6". This was the same as the long-term (1939-2020).
Measurable snow was on the ground on 70 days or 78.7% of the season.
Greatest snow depth was 15" on February 18-20.
There was no snow on the ground on 11 days or 12.4% of the season.