2022 Astronomical Spring Climate Summary

During the astronomical spring of 2022 (March 20-June 20), temperatures ranged from 2°F below normal to near normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley.  Average temperatures ranged from 47.5°F at Medford, WI (COOP) to 55.1°F at La Crosse, WI (ASOS). The coldest temperature was 4°F at Black River Falls and Sparta, WI on March 28 and the hottest temperature was 99°F near Oelwein, IA and Theilman, MN on June 15.  This is a 95°F temperature difference.

Precipitation anomalies ranged from 4" drier-than-normal to nearly 4.5" wetter-than-normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Precipitation totals ranged from 6.80” near Oelwein, IA (COOP) to 18.11” at St. Ansgar, IA (COOP). The wettest 1-day precipitation was 4.50" at St. Ansgar, IA (COOP). This precipitation fell from 7 AM on April 12 to 7 AM on April 13.

Snowfall anomalies ranged from 10" below-normal to 5" above-normal. Snowfall totals ranged from 0" at Minnesota City Dam 5 and Winona Dam 5 in southeast Minnesota to 10.2" near Medford, WI. The snowiest day was 4" near Mondovi, WI (CoCoRaHS) from 7 AM on March 23 to 7 AM on March 24.

Temperature Anomalies	Precipitation Anomalies	Snow Anomalies

Below are the astronomical spring (March 20 through June 20) summary for La Crosse, WI and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI

Astronomical Spring 2022 was Wetter and Slightly Warmer-than-Average at La Crosse WI

During the astronomical spring of 2022, La Crosse Regional Airport was wetter (12.94" or 2.70" wetter than average) and slightly warmer (55.1°F or 0.5°F warmer than average) than the long-term average (1873-2022). More details on these statistics can be found below. Temperatures - Slightly Warmer than Average From March 20 through June 20, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 55.1°F.  This was 0.5°F warmer than the long-term average of 54.6°F. This was the coolest since 2020 (64.3°F). This was the 8th consecutive spring to average warmer-than-normal.

• The average high temperature was 64.5°F. This was 0.2°F cooler than the long-term average of 64.7°F. This was the coolest since 2014 (64.3°F).
• The average low temperature was 45.7°F. This was 1.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 44.5°F. This was the coolest since 2020 (55.6°F).
   
• The warmest high temperature was 98°F on June 14 and June 20. 
• The coldest high temperature was 34°F on March 27.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 75°F on May 12.
• The coldest low temperature was 17°F on March 28.
   
• There were 5 days in which the high temperature reached or exceeded 90°F.
• There were 17 days in which the low temperature was 32°F or colder.  

Precipitation - Wetter than Average

From March 20 through June 20, La Crosse Regional Airport received 12.94" of precipitation.  This was 2.70" wetter than the long-term average of 10.24".  This was the wettest spring since 2018 (13.78" - 19th wettest spring). 15 out of the last 20 springs have been wetter than average.  9 out of these springs (including this year) were among the 30 wettest springs.

Measurable precipitation (0.01" or greater) fell on 25 days (27.2%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 17 days (18.5%).  

Number of days with...

• None               39 days (41.9%)
• Trace              13 days (14.0%)
• 0.01-0.09"         18 days (19.4%)
• 0.10-0.24"          7 days ( 7.5%)
• 0.25-0.49"          7 days ( 7.5%)
• 0.50-0.99"          5 days ( 5.4%)
• 1.00-1.99"          3 days ( 3.2%)  
• 2.00-2.99"          1 day  ( 1.1%) 

The wettest spring day was 2.09" on June 13. 

Snowfall - Below Average

From March 20 through June 20, the snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport measured 1.3" of snow.  This was 3.7" below than the long-term average of 5.0". 

Measurable snow (0.1" or greater) fell on 4 days (4.3%) and a trace of snow fell on 8 other days (8.6%).  

Number of days with...

• No snow       79 Days (84.9%)
• Trace          8 Days  (8.6%)
• 0.1-0.9"       4 Days  (4.3%)       

The snowiest day was 0.5" of snow on April 7.

Snow Depth - Below Average

From March 20 through June 20, the average snow depth near La Crosse Regional Airport was 0". This was 0.1" below the long-term average of 0.1".

The greatest snow depth was 1" on April 8.

Number of days with...

• No snow       90 Days (96.8%)
• Trace          2 Days  (2.2%)
• 0.1-0.9"       1 Day   (1.1%)  

Rochester, MN

Astronomical Spring 2022 was the 10th Wettest and Slightly Cooler than Average at Rochester MN

During the astronomical spring of 2022, temperatures averaged slightly cooler (51.9°F or 0.3°F cooler than average) and it was the 10th wettest spring (15.15" or 4.80" wetter than average) at Rochester International Airport.  More details on these statistics can be found below. Temperatures - Slightly Cooler than Average From March 20 through June 20, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 51.9°F. This was 0.3°F cooler than the long-term average of 52.2°F.

• The average high temperature was 61°F. This was 1.8°F colder than the long-term average of 62.8°F.
• The average low temperature was 42.8°F. This was 1.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 41.7°F.
   
• The warmest high temperature was 96°F on June 20. 
• The coldest high temperature was 30°F on March 27.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 72°F on June 14.
• The coldest low temperature was 13°F on March 27.
   
• There were 3 days in which the high temperature reached or exceeded 90°F.
• There were 28 days in which the low temperature was 32°F or colder.  

Precipitation - 10th Wettest

From March 20 through June 20, Rochester International Airport received 15.15" of precipitation. This was 4.80" wetter than the long-term average of 10.35". This was the 10th wettest spring and the wettest spring since 2019 (15.84" - 8th wettest spring). The wettest spring occurred in 2013 when 20.35" of precipitation fell. 7 out of the 10 wettest springs have occurred since 2000. The table below lists the ten wettest springs.

 Wettest Astronomical Springs
       in Rochester MN
          1886-2021
 
        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   15.15 inches   2022

This was in stark contrast to 2021 which was the 5th driest (5.68"). 9 out of the last 10 springs have been wetter than the long-term average. The average precipitation during these years were 13.32".

Measurable precipitation (0.01" or greater) fell on 42 days (45.2%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 15 days (16.1%).  

Number of days with...

None              36 days (38.7%)
Trace             15 days (16.1%)
0.01-0.09 inches  18 days (19.4%)
0.10-0.24 inches  10 days (10.8%)
0.25-0.49 inches   4 days ( 4.3%)
0.50-0.99 inches   4 days ( 4.3%)
1.00-1.99 inches   5 days ( 1.9%) 
2.00-2.99 inches   1 day  ( 1.1%)

The wettest spring day was 2.25" on April 12. 

Snowfall - Below Average

From March 20 through June 20, the snow observer near Rochester International Airport measured 1.5" of snow.  This was 5.2" below than the long-term average of 6.7 inches. 

Measurable snow (0.1" or greater) fell on 7 days (7.5%) and a trace of precipitation fell on 10 days (10.8%). 

Number of days with...

• No snow       76 Days (81.7%)
• Trace         10 Days (10.8%)
• 0.1-0.9"       7 Days ( 7.5%)  

The snowiest day was 0.4" on April 7.

Snow Depth - Less than Average

From March 20 through June 20, the average snow depth near Rochester International Airport was 0".  This was 0.3" below the long-term average of 0.3".

Number of days with...

• No snow       89 Days (95.7%)
• Trace          4 Days  (4.3%)

The greatest snow depth was 0".