Meteorological Winter 2022-23 Climate Summary

Temperatures:

During the meteorological winter (December 1 through February 28) of 2022-23, average temperatures ranged from 16.7°F at Medford, WI (COOP) to 25.7°F at Boscobel Airport, WI (ASOS). These temperatures ranged from near-normal to 4°F warmer than normal. The largest departures were in Wisconsin. The warmest temperature was 54°F at Guttenberg Lock & Dam 10, IA, and near Lancaster, WI on December 30. The coldest temperature was -25°F at Black River Falls, WI (RAWS); at Preston, MN (COOP); and near Theilman, MN (COOP) on January 31; and southwest of Elkader, IA on February 1.

Precipitation:

Precipitation ranged from 4.36" at Grand Meadow, MN (COOP) to 8.12" near Steuben, WI (COOP). These precipitation values ranged from near-normal to 4" wetter-than-normal. The following locations had their wettest winters La Cresent Dam 7, MN (7.83 inches); Prairie du Chien, WI (7.16 inches); Rochester, MN (6.57 inches) and Steuben, WI (8.12 inches). The greatest 1-day precipitation total was 1.68" near Mather, WI (COOP) from 7 am on December 14 to 7 am on December 15.

Snowfall:

Snowfall ranged from 20.9" at Prairie du Chien, WI (COOP) to 52.8" at Wabasha, MN (COOP). These snowfall values ranged from 15" below normal to 20" above normal. Rochester, MN had its 11th snowiest meteorological winter. The greatest 1-day snowfall total was 1.68" near Mather, WI (COOP) from 7 am on December 14 to 7 am on December 15. The greatest 1-day snowfall was 13.2" at Theilman, MN (COOP). This snow fell from 7 AM on February 22 to 7 AM on February 23.  This was the snowiest February day there. The previous record was 12.2" on February 24, 2019.

Below are climate summaries for La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI

Meteorological Winter 2022-23 was Warmer and Much Wetter than Normal in La Crosse, WII

Temperatures - Warmest Since the Winter of 2019-20

From December 1 through February 28, the average temperature at La Crosse Regional Airport was 24°F. This was 1.5°F warmer than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 22.5°F. This was the warmest winter since 2019-20 (24.5°F - tied for 21st warmest winter with 1959-60). The average maximum temperature was 31.4°F. This was 0.5°F warmer than 1991-2020 normal of 30.9°F.   The average minimum temperature was 16.5°F. This was 2.4°F warmer than 1991-2020 normal of 14.1°F.

The table below contains the monthly temperatures and their departures from normal for the winter of 2022-23.

       Winter 2022-23 Temperatures
             in La Crosse WI

                Average     Departure
   Month      Temperature  from Normal
   -----      -----------  -----------
 December       21.5°F       - 3.6°F 
 January        24.4°F       + 5.5°F - 14th Warmest 
 February       26.1°F       + 2.8°F 
 
 Winter         24.0°F       + 1.5°F 

• The warmest high temperature was 48°F on February 8 and February 11.
• The coldest high temperature was 1°F on December 23.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 37°F on February 14.
• The coldest low temperature was -12°F on January 31.
   
• The daily average temperatures were above normal on 53 days (58.9 percent), below normal on 34 days (37.8 percent), and normal on 3 days (3.3 percent).
   
• The temperature fell below zero on 13 days. Normally, there are 17 sub-zero temperatures in winter. 

Precipitation - 2nd Wettest

• From December 1 through February 28, La Crosse Regional Airport received 6.74 inches of precipitation. This was 2.81 inches wetter than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 3.93 inches. Only the winter of 1875-76 was wetter with 7.47 inches. 6 out of the 20 wettest winters have occurred since 2007-08. Below are the ten wettest winters.

  10 Wettest Meteorological
  Winters for La Crosse, WI
        1872-2023
        
Rank  Precipitation   Winters
----  -------------   -------
  1    7.47 inches    1875-76
  2    6.74 inches    2022-23
  3    6.58 inches    2015-16
  4    6.37 inches    1921-22
  5    6.34 inches    2018-19
  6    6.24 inches    1931-32
  7    6.22 inches    1885-86
  8    6.05 inches    2016-17
  9    5.94 inches    1891-92
 10    5.76 inches    1914-15 

The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2022-23.

     Winter 2022-23 Precipitation 
           in La Crosse WI

           Precipitation   Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
 December  2.38 inches   +0.89 inches - 14th Wettest
 January   2.17 inches   +0.92 inches - 17th Wettest
 February  2.19 inches   +1.00 inches - 12th Wettest

 Winter    6.74 inches   +2.81 inches - 2nd Wettest

• The wettest day was on January 3 when 0.91 inches of precipitation fell. This was the wettest winnter calendar day since Decmeber 14, 2015. 
   
• Precipitation fell on 46 days (51.1 percent). Measurable precipitation fell on 36 days (40 percent) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on 10 days (11.1 percent).

Snowfall - Above Normal

• From December 1 through February 28, the snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport received 38.7 inches of snow.  This was 6.3 inches above 1991-2020 normal of 32.4 inches.  

The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2022-23.

           Winter 2022-23 Snowfall
               in La Crosse WI

             Snowfall      Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   ------------   -----------
 December   17.0 inches   +6.1 inches - 18th Snowiest
 January    10.2 inches   -1.6 inches
 February   11.5 inches   +1.8 inches
 
 Winter     38.7 inches   +6.3 inches

• The snowiest day was 6.5 inches on February 22. Snowiest calendar day since February 9, 2020 (8.5 inches).
• Snow fell on 37 days (41.1 percent). Measurable snow fell on 26 days (28.9 percent) and a trace of snow fell on another 11 days (12.2 percent). 

Snow Depth - Below Average

• From December 1 through February 28, the official snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport had an average snow depth of 3.9 inches. This was 0.5 inches lower than the long-term average (1893-2023) of 4.4 inches. 

• The greatest snow depth was 10 inches on February 24-25.

• There was snow on the ground on 77 days (85.6 percent) this winter.  Measurable snow was on the ground on 68 days (75.6 percent) and trace amounts of snow on the ground on 9 days (9.9 percent).  

Sky Cover

• Clear Days - 28 days (Normal 22 days)

• Partly Cloudy Days - 31 days (Normal 20 days)

• Cloudy Days - 31 days (Normal 48 days)

Winds

• Highest sustained wind was 30 mph from the west on January 27 and February 21.
• Highest wind gust was 43 mph from the west on February 20.

Barometric Pressure

• Highest sea level pressure was 30.78 inches on February 24.
• Lowest sea level pressure was 29.16 inches on February 14.

Rochester, MN

Meteorological Winter 2022-23 was Warmer and Much Wetter than Normal in Rochester, MN

Temperatures - Warmer than Normal

From December 1 through February 28, the average temperature at Rochester International Airport was 18.8°F. This was 0.7°F warmer than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 18.1°F. The average maximum temperature was 26.1°F. This was 0.3°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 25.8°F.   The average minimum temperature was 11.5°F. This was 1.1°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 10.4°F.

• The warmest high temperature was 41°F on December 2. 
• The coldest high temperature was -5°F on December 23.
   
• The warmest low temperature was 35°F on February 14.
• The coldest low temperature was -17°F on January 31.
   
• The daily average temperatures were below normal on 44 days (48.9 percent), above normal on 30 days (33.3 percent), and normal on 6 days (6.7 percent).
• The temperature fell below zero on 19 days. Normally, there are 22 sub-zero temperatures in winter.

Precipitation - Wettest

• From December 1 through February 28, Rochester International Airport received 6.57 inches of precipitation. This was 3.29 inches wetter than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 3.29 inches. This is the wettest meteorological winter. The previous record was 6.30 inches in 2018-19. 9 out of the 20 wettest winters have occurred this century and 4 out of 5 wettest winters have occurred since 2010-11. Below are the ten wettest winters.

  10 Wettest Meteorological
  Winters for Rochester MN
        1886-2023
        
Rank  Precipitation   Winters
----  -------------   -------
  1    6.57 inches    2022-23
  2    6.30 inches    2018-19
  3    5.85 inches    2016-17
  4    5.47 inches    1887-88
  5    5.29 inches    2010-11
  6    4.92 inches    1982-83
  7    4.69 inches    1950-51
  8    4.61 inches    2015-16
  9    4.29 inches    1932-33
 10    4.25 inches    1966-67

The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2022-23.

     Winter 2022-23 Precipitation 
           in Rochester MN

           Precipitation   Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
 December  1.62 inches   +0.34 inches 
 January   2.41 inches   +1.42 inches - 3rd Wettest
 February  2.54 inches   +1.52 inches - 2nd Wettest
 
 Winter    6.57 inches   +3.29 inches - Wettest 

• The wettest day was on January 3 when 1.12 inches of precipitation fell. This was tied for the 8 wettest winter calendar day with December 15, 1940, and February 20, 2014. This was the wettest winter calendar day since December 14, 2015. 
• Precipitation fell on 52 days (57.8 percent). Measurable precipitation fell on 31 days (34.4 percent) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on 21 days (23.3 percent).

Snowfall...11th Snowiest

• From December 1 through February 28, the snow observer near Rochester International Airport received 42.3 inches of snow.  This was 7 inches above 1991-2020 normal of 35.3 inches.  This was the 11th snowiest meteorological winter.  Below are the 20 snowiest winters.

  20 Snowiest Meteorological
  Winters for Rochester MN
        1939-2023
        
Rank    Snowfall     Winters
----    --------     -------
  1    68.2 inches    2018-19
  2    60.4 inches    2010-11
  3    50.0 inches    2000-01
  4    48.1 inches    1969-70
  5    46.5 inches    2013-14
  6    46.4 inches    2008-09
  7    45.8 inches    1996-97
  8    44.4 inches    2009-10
  9    43.9 inches    1995-96
 10    43.6 inches    1978-79
 11    43.4 inches    2022-23
 12    43.3 inches    2016-17
 13    43.1 inches    1993-94
 14    43.0 inches    1970-71
 15    40.6 inches    1981-82
 16    40.1 inches    1998-99
 17    40.0 inches    2003-04
       40.0 inches    1987-88
       40.0 inches    1950-51
 20    39.9 inches    1961-62

The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2022-23.

           Winter 2022-23 Snowfall
               in Rochester MN

             Snowfall      Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   ------------   -----------
 December   18.3 inches   +5.9 inches 
                          Tied for 12th Snowiest 
 January    11.5 inches   -0.7 inches
 February   13.6 inches   +2.9 inches
 
 Winter     43.4 inches   +8.1 inches - 14th Snowiest

• The snowiest day was 5.2 inches on December 9.
• Snow fell on 44 days (48.9 percent). Measurable snow fell on 23 days (25.6 percent) and a trace of snow fell on another 21 days (23.3 percent). 

Snow Depth...Above Average

• From December 1 through February 28, the official snow observer near Rochester International Airport had an average snow depth of 5.8 inches. This was 0.6 inches higher than the long-term average (1938-2023) of 5.2 inches.  

• The greatest snow depth was 12 inches on December 22-27 and February 24-26.

• There was snow on the ground on 84 days (93.3 percent) this winter.  Measurable snow was on the ground on 79 days (87.8 percent) and trace amounts of snow on the ground on 5 days (5.6 percent).  

Sky Cover

• Clear Days - 32 days (Normal 20 days)

• Partly Cloudy Days - 31 days (Normal 20 days)

• Cloudy Days - 27 days (Normal 50 days)

Winds

• Highest sustained wind was 37 mph from the northwest on December 23 and February 20.
• Highest wind gust was 48 mph from the northwest on December 23.

Barometric Pressure

• Highest sea level pressure was 30.75 inches on February 24.
• Lowest sea level pressure was 29.13 inches on February 14.