Autumn 2022 Meteorological Climate Summary

Temperature

During meteorological autumn 2022 (September 1-November 30), average temperatures ranged from near-normal to 3°F warmer-than-normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley.  Monthly average temperatures ranged from 45°F at Medford Taylor County Airport, WI (AWOS) to 51.5°F  at Decorah, IA (COOP). The hottest temperature was 98°F near Oelwein, IA (COOP) on September 21 and the coldest temperature was 1°F near Grand Meadow, MN on November 9, and near Cashton, WI (COOP) and at Dodge Center Airport, MN (AWOS) on November 20.

Precipitation

Autumn precipitation was below normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Precipitation anomalies ranged from near-normal to 6” drier-than-normal across the region. Precipitation totals ranged from 2.13” at the Austin Waste Water Treatment Facility (COOP) to 9.02” near Warrens, WI (CoCoRaHS). The greatest 1-day precipitation was 2.72" near Colby, WI (COOP). This rainfall fell from 7 AM on September 19 to 7 AM on September 20.

Snowfall

Autumn snowfall was near-normal across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Snowfall totals ranged from 0.5” at Prairie du Chien, WI (COOP) to 7.1” near Neillsville, WI (COOP). The greatest 1-day snowfall was 3.5" near Onalaska, WI (COOP). This snow fell from 7 AM on November 15 to 7 AM on November 16.

The information below provides details on autumn 2022 temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall for La Crosse WI, and Rochester MN.

La Crosse WI

Autumn of 2022 was drier and slightly cooler than normal in La Crosse, WI

Temperatures - Slightly Cooler than Normal

From September 1 through November 30, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 51.3°F. This was 0.1°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 51.4°F.  The table below contains the monthly average temperatures and their departures from normal for the autumn of 2022.       Autumn 2022 Temperatures           in La Crosse WI               Average     Departure  Month      Temperature  from Normal  -----      -----------  ----------- September      65.2°F       +0.4°F October        51.1°F       -0.6°F  November       37.7°F       +0.1°F  Autumn         51.3°F       -0.1°F

• The average high temperature was 61.6°F which was 0.7°F warmer than 1991-2020 normal of 60.9°F. 
• The average low temperature was 41°F which was 0.8°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 41.8°F. 
   
• The warmest high temperature was 89°F on September 20.
• The coldest high temperature was 23°F on November 19.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 70°F on September 2.  
• The coldest low temperature was 10°F on November 20.
   
• Temperatures averaged above normal on 47 days, below normal on 43 days and normal on 1 day.

Precipitation - Drier than Normal

From September 1 through November 30, La Crosse Regional Airport received 4.76 inches of precipitation. This was 3.21 inches drier than 1991-2020 normal of 7.97 inches. 

The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the autumn of 2022.

     Autumn 2022 Precipitation
          in La Crosse WI

          Precipitation   Departure
 Month        Total      from Normal
 -----    -------------  -----------
September  1.66 inches  -1.97 inches
October    1.04 inches  -1.45 inches
November   2.06 inches  +0.21 inches 

Autumn     4.76 inches  -3.21 inches 

• The highest daily precipitation total was 0.95 inches on October 24.  
• Measurable rain fell on 22 days (24.2%) and trace amounts fell on another 13 days (14.3%).  

Breakdown by precipitation amounts

• None              56 Days
• Trace             13 Days
• 0.01-0.09 inches  14 Days
• 0.10-0.24 inches   2 Days
• 0.25-0.49 inches   2 Days
• 0.50-0.99 inches   4 Days

Snowfall - Below-Normal

From September 1 through November 30, the official snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport received 3.2 inches of snow. This was 0.5 inches below 1991-2020 normal of 3.7 inches. 

The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the autumn of 2022.

        Autumn 2022 Snowfall
          in La Crosse WI

             Snowfall     Departure
 Month        Total      from Normal
 -----    -------------  -----------
September   0.0 inches    0.0 inches
October       Trace      -0.3 inches
November    3.2 inches   -0.2 inches 

Autumn      3.2 inches   -0.5 inches 

• The highest daily snowfall total was 1.3 inches on November 15.
• Measurable snow fell on 5 days (5.5%) and trace amounts fell on another 5 days (5.5%). 

Breakdown by snowfall amounts

• None              81 Days
• Trace              5 Days
• 0.1-0.9 inches     4 Days
• 1.0-2.9 inches     1 Day

The greatest snow depth was 2 inches on November 16.

Sky 

• It was clear on 51 days.
• It was partly cloudy on 22 days.
• It was cloudy on 18 days.

Sea Level Pressure 

• Highest was 30.58 inches on September 28.
• Lowest was 29.13 inches on November 5.

Winds 

• Highest sustained wind was 31 mph from the northwest on November 5.
• Highest wind gust was 41 mph from the west on October 12 and the northwest on November 5.

Rochester MN

Autumn of 2022 was much warmer and drier than normal in Rochester, MN

Temperatures - Slightly Warmer than Normal

From September 1 through November 30, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 47.8°F. This was 0.3°F warmer than 1991-2020 normal of 47.5°F. The table below contains the monthly average temperatures and their departures from normal for the autumn of 2022.       Autumn 2022 Temperatures           in Rochester MN               Average     Departure  Month      Temperature  from Normal  -----      -----------  ----------- September      61.6°F       +0.5°F  October        48.5°F       +0.6°F  November       33.3°F       -0.3°F  Autumn         47.8°F       +0.3°F

• The average high temperature was 58.1°F which was 1°F warmer than 1991-2020 normal of 57.1°F. 
• The average low temperature was 37.5°F which was 0.5°F colder than 1991-2020 normal of 38.0°F. 
   
• The warmest high temperature was 90°F on September 20.
• The coldest high temperature was 18°F on November 18.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 64°F on September 2.  
• The coldest low temperature was 5°F on November 20.
   
• Temperatures averaged above normal on 48 days, below normal on 39 days and normal on 4 days.

Precipitation - Drier than Normal

From September 1 through November 30, Rochester International Airport received 3.16 inches of precipitation. This was 4.67 inches drier than the 1991-2020 normal of 7.83 inches. 

The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the autumn of 2022.

     Autumn 2022 Precipitation
          in Rochester, MN

          Precipitation   Departure
 Month        Total      from Normal
 -----    -------------  -----------
September  0.97 inches  -2.63 inches
October    0.70 inches  -1.73 inches
November   1.49 inches  -0.31 inches 

Autumn     3.16 inches  -4.67 inches 

• The highest daily precipitation total was 0.49 inches on October 24.  
• Measurable rain fell on 25 days (27.5%) and trace amounts fell on another 8 days (8.8%).  

Breakdown by precipitation amounts

• None              58 Days
• Trace              8 Days
• 0.01-0.09 inches  16 Days
• 0.10-0.24 inches   4 Days 
• 0.25-0.49 inches   5 Days

Snowfall - Snowier than Normal

From September 1 through November 30, the official snow observer near Rochester International Airport received 6.5 inches of snow. This was 1.1 inches above the 1991-2020 normal of 5.4 inches. 

The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the autumn of 2022.

        Autumn 2022 Snowfall
          in Rochester MN

             Snowfall     Departure
 Month        Total      from Normal
 -----    -------------  -----------
September   0.0 inches    0.0 inches
October     0.1 inches   -0.8 inches
November    6.4 inches   +1.9 inches 

Autumn      6.5 inches   +1.1 inches 

• The highest daily snowfall total was 2.3 inches on November 29.
• Measurable snow fell on 10 days (11%) and trace amounts fell on another day (1.1%). 

Breakdown by snowfall amounts

• None              80 Days
• Trace              1 Day 
• 0.1-0.9 inches     7 Days
• 1.0-2.9 inches     3 Days

The greatest snow depth was 2 inches on November 30.

Sky

• It was clear on 48 days.
• It was partly cloudy on 39 days.
• It was cloudy on 4 days.

Sea Level Pressure

• Highest was 30.62 inches on November 7.
• Lowest was 29.32 inches on November 5.

Winds

• Highest sustained wind was 40 mph from the south on October 23.
• Highest wind gust was 53 mph from the south on October 23.