2020-21 Astronomical Winter Climate Summary

During the 2020-21 astronomical winter (December 21-March 19), both La Crosse WI and Rochester MN averaged warmer than the long-term average. It was drier than the long-term average at La Crosse and slightly wetter than the long-term average at Rochester MN. Below are more details on each of these sites.

La Crosse WI...

Temperatures - Warmer-than-Average

During astronomical winter, temperatures averaged 23.4°F at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 2.5°F warmer than the long-term (1872-2021) average of 20.9°F.
Average high temperature was 32.3°F. This was 2.6°F warmer than the long-term average of 29.7°F.
Average low temperature was 14.4°F. This was 2.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 12.2°F.
Warmest high temperature was 69°F on March 9.
Coldest high temperature was -2°F on February 14.
The warmest low temperature was 43°F on March 10.
The coldest low temperature was -21°F on February 15.

Precipitation - Drier-than-Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 2.79" of precipitation fell at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 0.93" drier than the long-term average of 3.72".
Wettest day occurred on March 10 when 0.47" of precipitation fell.
Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) precipitation fell on 21 days (23.6%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 14 days (15.7%).

Snowfall - Slightly Snowier-than-Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 29.7" of snow fell at La Crosse Regional Airport. This was 0.5" snowier than the long-term average of 29.2".
Snowiest day occurred on February 4 when 5.8" of snow fell.
Measurable (0.1" or greater) snow fell on 19 days (21.3%) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 12 days (13.5%).

Snow Depth - Slightly Higher-than-Average

During astronomical winter, the average snow depth at La Crosse Regional Airport was 4.7". This was 0.3" higher than the long-term average of 4.4".
Measurable snow was on the ground on 73 days or 82% of the season.
There was no snow on the ground on 15 days or 16.9% of the season.
Greatest snow depth was 14" on February 22.

Rochester...

Temperatures - Warmer-than-Average

During astronomical winter, temperatures averaged 19.7°F at Rochester International Airport. This was 1.9°F warmer than the long-term average (1886-2021) of 17.8°F.
Average high temperature was 27.4°F. This was 0.9°F warmer than the long-term average of 26.5°F.
Average low temperature was 12°F. This was 3°F warmer than the long-term average of 9°F.
Warmest high temperature was 61°F on March 9.
Coldest high temperature was -8°F on February 14.
Warmest low temperature was 37°F on March 9.
Coldest low temperature was -23°F on February 15.

Precipitation - Slightly Wetter-than-Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 3.33" of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport. This was 0.25" wetter than the long-term average of 3.08".
Wettest day occurred on March 15 when 1.10" of precipitation fell.
Measurable (0.01" or greater) precipitation fell on 21 days (23.6%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 19 days (21.3%).

Snowfall - Slightly Snowier-than-Average

During astronomical winter, a total of 32.9" of snow fell at Rochester International Airport. This was 4.3" snowier than the long-term average of 28.6".
Snowiest day occurred on March 15 when 7.9" of snow fell.
Measurable (0.1" or greater) snow fell on 21 days (23.6%) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 15 days (16.9%).

Snow Depth - Slightly Lower-than-Average

During astronomical winter, the average snow depth at Rochester International Airport was 4.2". This was 1.4" lower than the long-term average of 5.6".
Measurable snow was on the ground on 68 days or 76.4% of the season.
There was no snow on the ground on 13 days or 14.6% of the season.
Greatest snow depth was 11" on February 22.