October 2020 Climate Summary

La Crosse, WI

October Highlights...

The average temperature was 46.0°F. This was 4.2°F colder than the 1981-2010 normal of 50.2°F. This tied 1896 for the 16th coldest October and it was the coldest October since 2009 (44.5°F - 4th coldest October).
Temperatures were below 40°F from October 24 to October 27 (4 days). This tied 1925 (October 27-30) and 1930 (October 17-20) for the third-longest stretch (4 days) in an October. The only other stretches of October days which were longer occurred in 1873 (7 days - October 25-31) and 1917 (5 days - October 27-31).
A total of 1.61" of precipitation fell. This was 0.56" drier than the 1981-2010 normal of 2.17 inches. This was the 6th month this year to be drier-than-normal.
The first trace of snow for the 2020-21 snow season fell on October 20. This typically occurs on October 20. The first measurable snow (2.0") fell on October 25. This typically occurs on November 11.
It was the 4th snowiest October (2.3" - 2.1" snowier than the 1981-2010 normal of 0.2"). Only 1917 (7"), 1929 (3.1"), and 1926 (2.4") had more snow than this October. This was the snowiest October since 1992 (1.8").

Records...

October 9 - Warmest High Tied: 85°F - Last set in 2010
October 25 - Snowfall: 2.0" - The previous record was a trace in 1898, 1904, 1932, 1942, 1962, 1980, 1981 and 2001
October 26 - Cold High Tied: 34°F - Last set in 1887
October 26 - Snow Depth: 2" - The previous record was a trace in 1959

Looking Ahead...

The average temperature in La Crosse for November is 35.9°F with an average high of 43.8°F and an average low of 28.1°F. The normal high drops from 52°F on the 1st to 35°F by the 30th. The normal low drops from 35°F on the 1st to 21°F by the 30th. The average daily temperature drops below freezing by the 24th.
Normal precipitation for November is 2.01". Normal snowfall is 4.1" and November averages 3 days where measurable snowfall occurs.

October Highlights...

The average temperature was 42.1°F. This was 6.3°F colder than the 1981-2010 normal of 48.4°F. This was the 7th coldest October and it was the coldest October since 2009 (42.5°F - 9th coldest October).
Temperatures were below 40°F from October 18 to October 27 (10 days). This was the longest stretch of days in an October. The previous record was 6 days in 1887 (October 22-27)
A total of 1.40" of precipitation fell. This was 0.84" drier than 1981-2010 normal of 2.24". This was the 5th month in a row with below-normal precipitation. All 5 of these months were less than 7 tenths of an inch below normal. The total precipitation deficit during these months was 2.48".
The first trace of snow for the 2020-21 snow season fell on October 19. This typically occurs on October 20. The first measurable snow (2.1") fell on October 21. This typically occurs on November 3.
It was the 6th snowiest October (4.2" - 3.4" snowier than the 1981-2010 normal of 0.8"). Only 2009 (7.9"), 1929 (6.6"), 1917 (5.5"), 1979 (5.4"), and 1991 (4.5") had more snow than this October. This was the snowiest October since 2009 (7.9" - snowiest October).

Records...

October 20 - Snowfall: 2.1" - The previous record was 0.5" in 1982
October 22 - Cold High Tied: 34°F - Last set in 1913
October 24 - Cold High: 31°F - The previous record was 32°F in 1981
October 25 - Snowfall: 2.1" - The previous record was 0.4" in 1981
October 26 - Snow Depth: 2" - The previous record was a trace in 1942, 1959, 1979, and 1981
October 27 - Cold High: 30°F - The previous record was 33°F in 1967
October 27 - Coldest Low: 11°F - The previous record was 13°F in 1936
October 18 to 27 - The longest stretch of days below 40°F in an October previous record was 6 days in 1887 (October 22-27)

Looking Ahead...

The average temperature in Rochester for the month of November is 33.8°F, with an average high of 41.6°F and an average low of 26.0°F. The normal high drops from 51°F on the 1st to 33°F by the 30th. The normal low drops from 33°F on the 1st to 18°F on the 30th. The average daily temperature drops below freezing by the 20th.
Normal precipitation for November is 1.91". Normal snowfall for the month is 6.1" and November averages 5 days where measurable snowfall occurs.