Astronomical Autumn Climate Summary

Astronomical Autumn 2022 (September 22 to December 20) was warmer with below-average precipitation at both La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.  

• La Crosse, WI was 1.2°F warmer than the 1873-2022 long-term average (40.2°F). It was 0.33 inches drier than the 1873-2022 long-term average (5.79 inches) for precipitation and 6.1 inches greater than the 1897-2022 long-term average (10.2 inches) for snowfall.  
   
• Rochester, MN was 0.3°F warmer than the 1886-2022 long-term average (37.5°F). It was 1.68 inches drier than the 1886-2022 long-term average (5.33 inches) for precipitation and 7.5 inches greater than the 1933-2022 long-term average (12.4 inches) for snowfall. This was the 15th snowiest autumn.

La Crosse WI...

Temperature...Warmer-than-Average

• During astronomical autumn, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 41.4°F. This was 1.2°F warmer than the 1873-2022 long-term average of 40.2°F. 
   
• The average high temperature was 50.9°F which was 2.2°F warmer than the 1873-2022 long-term average of 48.7°F. 
• The average low temperature was 31.8°F which was 0.1°F warmer than the 1873-2022 long-term average of 31.7°F. 
   
• The warmest high temperature was 81°F on October 22.
• The coldest high temperature was 18°F on December 18.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 60°F on October 23.
• The coldest low temperature was -5°F on December 20.

Precipitation...Slightly Drier-than-Average

• During astronomical autumn, La Crosse Regional Airport received 5.46" of precipitation which was 0.33" drier than the 1873-2022 long-term average of 5.79".  
   
• The wettest day occurred on October 24 when 0.95" fell.
   
• No precipitation fell on 51 days (56.7%).
• A trace of precipitation fell on 16 days (17.8%).
• Measurable (0.01" or greater) fell on 23 days (25.6%).

Snowfall...24th Greatest

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport received 16.3" of snow. This was 6.1" greater than the 1897-2022 long-term average of 10.2". This was the 24th greatest amount of snow in an astronomical autumn. This was the most in autumn since 2016 (17.4" - 21st greatest).
   
• The snowiest day occurred on December 9 when 5" fell.
   
• No snow fell on 69 days (76.7%).
• A trace of snow fell on 9 days (10%).
• Measurable (0.1" or greater) fell on 12 days (13.3%).  

Snow Depth...Average

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport had an average snow depth of 0.6".  This was equal to the 1893-2022 long-term average. 
• The greatest snow depth was 6" on December 20.

Rochester MN...
 

Temperature...Slightly Warmer than Average

• During astronomical autumn, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 37.8°F. This was 0.3°F warmer than the 1886-2022 long-term average of 37.5°F. 
   
• The average high temperature was 47.3°F which was 0.4°F warmer than the 1886-2022 long-term average of 46.9°F. 
• The average low temperature was 28.3°F which was 0.2°F warmer than the 1886-2022 long-term average of 28.1°F. 
   
• The warmest high temperature was 79°F on October 22.
• The coldest high temperature was 7°F on December 18.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 56°F on October 23.
• The coldest low temperature was -9°F on December 20.

Precipitation...Drier-than-Average

• During astronomical autumn, Rochester International Airport received 3.65" of precipitation which was 1.68" drier than the 1886-2022 long-term average of 5.33". 
   
• The wettest day occurred on October 24 when 0.49" fell.
   
• No precipitation fell on 52 days (57.8%).
• A trace of precipitation fell on 11 days (12.2%).
• Measurable (0.01"  or greater) fell on 27 days (30%).

Snowfall...15th Snowiest

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near Rochester International Airport received 19.9" of snow. This was 7.5" greater than the 1933-2022 long-term average of 12.4". This was the 15th snowiest autumn and the snowiest autumn since 2010 (39.2" - snowiest). 8 out of the 21 snowiest autumns have occurred since 2000. Below are the 20 snowiest autumns in Rochester MN.

 Snowiest Astronomical Autumns
       in Rochester MN
          1933-2022

 Rank      Snowiest     Year
 ----      --------     ----
   1     39.2 inches    2010
   2     34.4 inches    1985
   3     32.1 inches    1991
   4     29.4 inches    2008
   5     29.1 inches    1983
   6     28.4 inches    1996
   7     27.1 inches    2000
   8     26.9 inches    1947
   9     26.0 inches    1940
  10     24.1 inches    2009
  11     22.9 inches    1961
  12     20.9 inches    1990
  13     20.5 inches    1952
         20.5 inches    1934
  15     19.9 inches    2022
  16     19.6 inches    1978
  17     18.6 inches    1950
  18     17.7 inches    2019
  19     17.5 inches    1977
  20     17.1 inches    2016 
         17.1 inches    2005 

• The snowiest day occurred on December 9 when 5.2" fell. 
   
• No snow fell on 68 days (75.6%).
• A trace of snow fell on 6 days (6.7%).
• Measurable (0.1" or greater) fell on 16 days (17.8%).  

Snow Depth...Average

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near Rochester International Airport had an average snow depth of 0.8". This was equal to the 1944-2022 long-term average.
   
• The greatest snow depth was 9" on December 20.