Astronomical Spring Climate Summaries

For astronomical spring (March 20 through June 20), it was slightly cooler with above-average precipitation in the Upper Mississippi River Valley.  Below are the temperature, precipitation, and snowfall departures across the region.

Temperature Departures	Precipitation Departures	Snow Departures

More specific details for La Crosse and Rochester can be found below.

La Crosse, WI...
 

...Astronomical Spring was Slightly Warmer and Wetter-than-Average at La Crosse WI...

During the astronomical spring of 2019, temperatures averaged warmer (0.2 degrees) and wetter than average (1.43 inches) at La Crosse Regional Airport.  More details on these statistics can be found below.

Temperatures 

From March 20 through June 20, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 54.7 degrees.  This was 0.2 degrees warmer than the long-term average of 54.5 degrees.  

• The average high temperature was 64.9 degrees.  This was 0.3 degrees warmer than the long-term average of 64.6 degrees.  
• The average low temperature was 44.5 degrees.  This was 0.1 degrees warmer than the long-term average of 44.4 degrees. 
   
• The warmest high temperature was 90 degrees on May 31 and June 7. 
• The coldest high temperature was 38 degrees on April 10.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 63 degrees on June 6.
• The coldest low temperature was 22 degrees on March 26.

There were 2 days in which the high temperature reached or exceeded 90 degrees.

There were 14 days in which the low temperature was 32 degrees or colder.  

Precipitation 

From March 20 through June 20, La Crosse Regional Airport received 11.54 inches of precipitation.  This was 1.43 inches wetter than the long-term average of 10.11 inches. 

Measurable precipitation (0.01 inches or greater) fell on 34 days (36.6%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 12 days (12.9%).  

Number of days with...

       0.01 inches or more       34 Days
       0.10 inches or more       20 Days
       0.50 inches or more        8 Days
       1.00 inches or more        6 Days

The wettest spring day was 1.17 inches on May 18. 

Snowfall 

From March 20 through June 20, the snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport measured 6.2 inches of snow.  This was 1.3 inches snowier than the long-term average of 4.9 inches. 

Measurable snow (0.1 inches or greater) fell on 3 days (3.2%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 4 days (4.3%).  

Number of days with...

       No snow       86 Days (92.5%)
       Trace          4 Days  (4.3%)
       Less than 1"   1 Day   (1.1%)
       1 to 2.9"      1 Day   (1.1%)
       3 to 5.9"      1 Day   (1.1%)

The snowiest day was 3.9 inches on April 10.

Snow Depth 

From March 20 through June 20, the average snow depth near La Crosse Regional Airport was 0.2 inches.  This is 0.1 inches above the long-term average of 0.2 inches.

The greatest snow depth was 4 inches on April 11.

Rochester, MN
 

...Astronomical Spring was Colder and Wetter-than-Average at Rochester MN...

During the astronomical spring of 2019, temperatures averaged colder (1 degree) and wetter than average (5.66 inches - 8th wettest spring) at Rochester International Airport.  More details on these statistics can be found below.

Temperatures

From March 20 through June 20, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 51.1 degrees.  This was 1 degree colder than the long-term average of 52.1 degrees.  

• The average high temperature was 60.8 degrees.  This was 2 degrees colder than the long-term average of 62.8 degrees.  
• The average low temperature was 41.5 degrees.  This was average. 
   
• The warmest high temperature was 86 degrees on May 31. 
• The coldest high temperature was 34 degrees on April 10.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 61 degrees on June 5.
• The coldest low temperature was 19 degrees on March 31.

There were 0 days in which the high temperature reached or exceeded 90 degrees.

There were 20 days in which the low temperature was 32 degrees or colder.  

Precipitation - 8th Wettest

From March 20 through June 20, Rochester International Airport received 15.84 inches of precipitation.  This was 5.66 inches wetter than the long-term average of 10.18 inches. This was the 8th wettest astronomical spring. The table below contains the 10 wettest astronomical springs in Rochester MN.  

    Top 10 Wettest Astronomical Springs
              in Rochester MN
                 1886-2019

              Precipitation
    Rank          Total         Year
    ----      -------------     ----
      1       20.35 inches      2013
      2       19.81 inches      2001
      3       18.67 inches      2000
      4       18.04 inches      1993
      5       17.12 inches      2004
      6       16.10 inches      1930
      7       16.00 inches      1990
      8       15.84 inches      2019
      9       15.59 inches      2008
     10       14.98 inches      1974

Measurable precipitation (0.01 inches or greater) fell on 41 days (44.1%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 7 days (7.5%).  

Number of days with...

       0.01 inches or more       41 Days
       0.10 inches or more       22 Days
       0.50 inches or more       10 Days
       1.00 inches or more        6 Days

The wettest spring day was 3.33 inches on May 27. 

Snowfall 

From March 20 through June 20, the snow observer near Rochester International Airport measured 8.2 inches of snow.  This was 2.5 inches snowier than the long-term average of 5.7 inches. 

Measurable snow (0.1 inches or greater) fell on 4 days (4.3%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 5 days (5.4%). 

Number of days with...

       No snow       84 Days (90.3%)
       Trace          5 Days  (5.4%)
       Less than 1"   0 Day   (0%)
       1 to 2.9"      3 Days  (3.2%)
       3 to 5.9"      1 Day   (1.1%)

The snowiest day was 4.1 inches on April 10.

Snow Depth 

From March 20 through June 20, the average snow depth near Rochester International Airport was 0.1 inches.  This is 0.2 inches below the long-term average of 0.3 inches.

The greatest snow depth was 3 inches on April 11.