2021 Astronomical Summer Climate Summary

During the astronomical summer of 2021 (June 20-September 20), average temperatures ranged from 2 degrees colder-than-normal to 2 degrees warmer-than-normal. Average temperatures ranged from 63.2°F at Medford Taylor County Airport to 73.1°F at La Crosse Regional Airport. The highest temperature was 96°F at Theilman, MN and the coldest temperature was 32°F on September 18 at Black River Falls, WI.

Rainfall was highly variable across the region. Rainfall totals ranged from 9.64" near Claremont, MN to 25.93" near Harpers Ferry, IA. Typically rainfall ranges from 12" to 15". It was the wettest summer at La Crosse, WI (21.93"). The previous record was 21.73" in 2016. It was the second wettest astronomical season. Only the spring of 1993 was wetter with 23.08".

The summer began with severe drought (D2) across parts of southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and southwest Wisconsin. During July, above-normal rainfall gradually ended the abnormally dry (D0) and moderate drought (D1) across west-central, central, and north-central Wisconsin. In early August, extreme drought (D3) develop across northeast Iowa. This was the first time that this had been seen in the area since 2012. Above-normal rain in late August helped to end the drought across southeast Minnesota, and much of northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.

Average Temperature Anomalies	Precipitation Anomalies

Below are the summaries for both La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI
 

Wettest and Tied for 14th Warmest Astronomical Summer in La Crosse, WI

During the astronomical summer of 2021 (June 20 through September 21), it was the wettest summer (21.93" - the previous record was 21.73" in 2016) and tied with 2002 and 2016 for the 14th warmest summer at La Crosse Regional Airport. Records date back to 1873.

More details are listed below... 

Temperatures - Tied for 14th Warmest with 2002 and 2016

During astronomical summer, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 73.1°F.  This was 2.8°F warmer than the long-term average of 70.3°F. This was tied for the 14th warmest summer with 2002 and 2016.  It was the warmest since 2019 (73.4°F - tied for 9th warmest with 1995 and 2005). Since 1995, 24 out 27 astronomical summers have been warmer than normal. This includes the 4th warmest (tied 1998 and 2018), 9th warmest (tied 2005 and 2019), 14th warmest (tied 2002, 2016, and 2021), and 18th warmest (2012).

The average maximum temperature was 83.5°F.  This was 3.0°F warmer than the long-term average of 80.5°F.  The was tied for 18th warmest with 1930.

The average minimum temperature was 62.7°F.  This was 2.7°F warmer than the long-term average of 60°F.  This was tied for 11th warmest with 1948, 1955, and 1995.

Other temperature tidbits this summer...

• The hottest temperature was 95°F on July 5.
• The coldest high temperature was 67°F on September 3. 
   
• The coldest temperature was 43°F on September 18. 
• The warmest low temperature was 79°F on July 5.

The temperature climbed to or exceeded 90°F on 18 days.  Normally, there are 13 days in the summer.  

Rainfall - Wettest

During the astronomical summer, La Crosse Regional Airport received 21.93" of rain which was 9.88" wetter than the long-term normal of 12.05".  The table below lists the ten wettest astronomical summers in La Crosse WI...

 Ten Wettest Astronomical Summers
         in La Crosse WI
            1873-2021

    Rank     Rainfall     Year
    ----     --------     ----
      1    21.93 inches   2021
      2    21.73 inches   2016
      3    21.57 inches   1938
      4    21.42 inches   1928
      5    20.87 inches   1881
      6    20.20 inches   1980
      7    19.73 inches   2007
      8    19.56 inches   2010
      9    19.11 inches   1981
     10    18.28 inches   1884

Other precipitation tidbits this summer...

• The La Crosse area started the summer in moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought improved to abnormally dry (D0) during July, and became excessively wet during August.
• 70% of the summer rain falling after July 26. This was the third most (15.41 inches) for July 27 to September 21 time period. Only 1980 (18.00 inches) and 2007 (15.56") were wetter.
• The wettest calendar day occurred on August 7 when 5.59" of rain fell. This was the wettest calendar day.  The previous record was 5.55" on September 6, 1884.
• Measurable rain fell on 32 days (34%) and trace amounts fell on another 10 days (10.6%). 

Here is a breakdown of the summer rain...

• None              52 days - 55.3%
• Trace             10 days - 10.6%
• 0.01-0.09 inches  12 days - 12.8%
• 0.10-0.24 inches    5 days - 5.3%
• 0.25-0.49 inches    5 days - 5.3%
• 0.50-0.99 inches    3 days - 3.2%
• 1.00-1.99 inches    3 days - 3.2%
• 2.00-2.99 inches    3 days - 3.2%
• 3.00 inches +       1 day  - 1.1%

Rochester, MN
 

Astronomical Summer was Warmer and Wetter than Average in Rochester, MN
 

During the astronomical summer of 2021 (June 20 through September 21), it was slightly warmer and wetter than the long-term average at Rochester International Airport.

More details are listed below... 

Temperatures - Slightly Warmer than the Long-Term Average

During astronomical summer, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 68.7 degrees.  This was 0.6°F warmer than the long-term average of 68.1°F.   The average maximum temperature was 79.1°F.  This tied the long-term average of 79.1°F.   The average minimum temperature was 58.3°F.  This was 1.3°F warmer than the long-term average of 57.1°F.

Other temperature tidbits this summer...

• The hottest temperature was 91°F on July 5.
• The coldest high temperature was 62°F on September 3. 
   
• The coldest temperature was 41°F on September 18. 
• The warmest low temperature was 71°F on June 24.

The temperature climbed to or exceeded 90°F on 2 days.  Normally, there are 9 days per summer.  

Rainfall - Slightly Wetter than the Long-Term Average

During the astronomical summer, Rochester International Airport received 13.83" of rain which was 1.86" wetter than the long-term normal of 11.97".  6 out of the last 8 summers have been wetter than the long-term normal.

Other precipitation tidbits this summer...

• The summer started off with a moderate (D1) drought. It remained that way until late August when it improved and became abnormally dry (D0).  This is due to two-thirds (67% - 9.29") of the summer rain falling after July 26.  
• The wettest day occurred on August 27 when 3.51" of rain fell.
• Measurable rain fell on 33 days (35.1%) and trace amounts fell on another 7 days (7.4%). 

Here is a breakdown of the summer rain...

• None             54 days - 57.4%
• Trace             7 days -  7.4%
• 0.01-0.09 inches 13 days - 13.8%
• 0.10-0.24 inches  5 days -  5.3%
• 0.25-0.49 inches  4 days -  4.3%
• 0.50-0.99 inches  8 days -  8.5%
• 1.00-1.99 inches  2 days -  2.1%
• 2.00-2.99 inches  0 days -    0%
• 3.00 inches +     1 day  -  1.1%