Meteorological Winter 2024-25 Climate Summary

Temperatures: Highly Variable, but the Overall Seasonal Temperatures were Near-Normal

During the meteorological winter (December 1 through February 28) of 2024-25, average temperatures ranged from 15.9°F at Medford Taylor County Airport, WI (AWOS) to 22.9°F at Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (AWOS). These temperatures ranged from 2°F colder than normal to 2°F warmer than normal. While temperature for the season averaged near normal, they were highly variable. The warmest temperature was 62°F at Decorah, IA on January 30. The coldest temperature was -28°F at Black River Falls, WI (RAWS) on February 18.

Precipitation: Below Normal

Precipitation ranged from 1.31" near Osage, IA (CoCoRaHS) to 3.73" near Westby, WI (CoCoRaHS). These precipitation values ranged from near-normal to 3" drier-than-normal. The greatest 1-day precipitation total was 1.15" at Lynxville, Dam 9, WI (COOP) and Minnesota City Dam, MN (COOP) from 7 am on December 27 to 7 am on December 28.

Snowfall: Near to Well-Below Normal

Snowfall ranged from 7.1" near Lanesboro, WI (CoCoRaHS) to 34.3" near Medford, WI (CoCoRaHS). These snowfall values ranged from near normal to 35" below normal. Rochester, MN (12.5" - 22.8" below normal)  had its 12th least snowiest meteorological winter. La Crosse, WI (15.8" - 16.6" below normal) had its 18th least snowiest meteorological winter. The greatest 1-day snowfall total was 9" near Owen, WI (COOP) from 7 am on February 8 to 7 am on February 9.

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

La Crosse, WI

Meteorological Winter 2024-25 was Drier and Slightly Colder than Normal in La Crosse, WII

Temperatures - Slightly Colder than Normal

From December 1 through February 28, the average temperature at La Crosse Regional Airport was 21.6°F. This was 0.9°F colder than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 22.5°F.  The average maximum temperature was 30°F. This was 0.9°F colder than the 1991-2020 normal of 30.9°F.   The average minimum temperature was 13.2F. This was 0.9°F colder than the 1991-2020 normal of 14.1°F.

The table below contains the monthly temperatures and their departures from normal for the winter of 2024-25.

       Winter 2024-25 Temperatures
             in La Crosse WI

                Average     Departure
   Month      Temperature  from Normal
   -----      -----------  -----------
 December       26.6°F       + 1.5°F 
 January        18.5°F       - 0.4°F  
 February       19.6°F       - 3.7°F 
 
 Winter         21.6°F       - 0.9°F 

• The warmest high temperature was 58°F on January 30. This was the warmest January temperature. The previous record was 57°F on January 3, 1874; January 1, 1897; and January 25, 1981.
• The coldest high temperature was -1°F on January 20.
• The warmest low temperature was 40°F on February 24.
• The coldest low temperature was -18°F on February 18.
• The daily average temperatures were above normal on 45 days (50%), below normal on 42 days (46.7%), and normal on 3 days (3.3%).
• The temperature fell to zero or below zero on 16 days. Normally, there are 21 sub-zero temperatures in a winter. 

Precipitation - Drier than Normal

• La Crosse Regional Airport received 2.08" of precipitation.
• This was 1.85" drier than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 3.93".  

The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2024-25.

     Winter 2024-25 Precipitation 
           in La Crosse WI

           Precipitation   Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
 December  1.36 inches   -0.13 inches 
 January   0.03 inches   -1.22 inches - driest
 February  0.69 inches   -0.37 inches
 
 Winter    2.08 inches   -1.85 inches 

• The wettest day was on December 27 when 0.62" of precipitation fell.  

Precipitation was greater than or equal to...

• 0.01 inches - 21 days
• 0.10 inches -  8 days
• 0.50 inches -  1 days
• 1.00 inch   -  0 days

Precipitation fell on 45 days (50%). Measurable precipitation fell on 21 days (23.3%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on 24 days (26.7%).​

Snowfall - 18th Least

• The snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport received 15.8" of snow.  
• This was 16.6" below the 1991-2020 normal of 32.4".
• This was the 18th least during a meteorological winter.
• This was the least since the 2023-24 meteorological winter (15.6" - 17th least).

The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2024-25.

           Winter 2024-25 Snowfall
               in La Crosse WI

             Snowfall      Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   ------------   -----------
 December    8.2 inches   -2.7 inches 
 January     0.6 inches  -11.2 inches - Least
 February    7.0 inches   -3.7 inches 
 
 Winter     15.8 inches  -16.6 inches - 18th Least

• The snowiest day was 6.6" on December 19.
• Snow fell on 36 days (40%). Measurable snow fell on 13 days (14.4%) and a trace of snow fell on another 23 days (25.6%).

Snow Depth - Below Average

• The official snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport had an average snow depth of 1.3".
• This was 3.1" lower than the long-term average (1893-2025) of 4.4".  
• The greatest snow depth was 7" on December 20.
• There was snow on the ground on 43 days (47.8%) this winter.  
• Measurable snow was on the ground on 25 days (27.8%) and trace amounts of snow on the ground on 18 days (20%).  

Sky Cover

• Clear - 35 days
• Partly Cloudy - 29 days
• Cloudy - 26 days

Winds

• Highest sustained winds - 39 mph from the west northwest on February 28
• Highest wind gust - 52 mph from the west northwest on February 28

Barometric Pressure

• Highest - 30.78 inches on February 18
• Lowest - 29.41 inches on January 28 

Rochester, MN

Meteorological Winter 2024-25 was Drier & Slightly Warmer than Normal in Rochester, MN

Temperatures - Slightly Warmer than Normal

From December 1 through February 28, the average temperature at Rochester International Airport was 18.4°F. This was 0.3°F warmer than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 18.1°F.  The average maximum temperature was 26.7°F. This was 0.9°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 25.8°F.   The average minimum temperature was 10.1°F. This was 0.3°F colder than the 1991-2020 normal of 10.4°F.

• The table below contains the monthly temperatures and their departures from normal for the winter of 2024-25.

       Winter 2024-25 Temperatures
             in Rochester MN

                Average     Departure
   Month      Temperature  from Normal
   -----      -----------  -----------
 December       24.1°F       + 3.3°F 
 January        15.0°F       + 0.3°F  
 February       16.0°F       - 2.7°F 
 
 Winter         18.4°F       + 0.3°F 

• The warmest high temperature was 56°F on January 30. 
• The coldest high temperature was -5°F on January 20.
• The warmest low temperature was 36°F on February 24.
• The coldest low temperature was -20°F on January 21.
• The daily average temperatures were above normal on 46 days (51.1%), below normal on 43 days (47.8%), and normal on 1 day (1.1%).
• The temperature fell to zero or below on 24 days. Normally, there are 27 sub-zero temperatures in a winter. 

Precipitation - Drier than Normal

• Rochester International Airport received 1.77" of precipitation.
• This was 1.52" drier than the 1991-2020 winter normal of 3.29".  

The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2024-25.

     Winter 2024-25 Precipitation 
           in Rochester MN

           Precipitation   Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
 December  1.27 inches   -0.01 inches 
 January   0.02 inches   -0.97 inches - Driest
 February  0.48 inches   -0.80 inches
 
 Winter    1.77 inches   -1.52 inches 

• The wettest day was on December 27 when 0.71" of precipitation fell.  
• Precipitation fell on 43 days (47.8%). Measurable precipitation fell on 17 days (18.9%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on 26 days (28.9%).

Snowfall - 12th Least

The snow observer near Rochester International Airport received 12.5" of snow. This was 22.8" below the 1991-2020 normal of 35.3". This was the 12th least during a meteorological winter. This was the least since last winter (6th least - 9.6").

The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the winter of 2024-25.

           Winter 2024-25 Snowfall
               in Rochester MN

             Snowfall      Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   ------------   -----------
 December    6.8 inches   -5.6 inches 
 January     0.4 inches  -11.8 inches Least
 February    5.3 inches   -5.4 inches
 
 Winter     12.5 inches  -22.8 inches 12th Least

The snowiest day was 5.9" on December 19.

Snow fell on 33 days (36.7%). Measurable snow fell on 13 days (14.4%) and a trace of snow fell on another 20 days (22.2%). 

Snow Depth - Below Average

• The official snow observer near Rochester International Airport had an average snow depth of 0.8". This was 4.3" lower than the long-term average (1893-2025) of 5.1".  
• The greatest snow depth was 6" on December 20-22.
• There was snow on the ground on 34 days (37.8%) this winter.  Measurable snow was on the ground on 23 days (25.6%) and trace amounts of snow on the ground on 11 days (12.2%). 

Winds

• Highest sustained winds - 46 mph from the northwest on December 4 and west northwest on February 28
• Highest wind gust - 63 mph from the north northwest on December 4  and west northwest on February 28

Sky Cover

• Clear - 32 days
• Partly Cloudy - 31 days
• Cloudy - 27 days

Barometric Pressure

• Highest - 30.74 inches on February 18
• Lowest - 29.44 inches on  December 8