A Look Back at the Extreme Weather of 2012

The Northland's Weather of 2012

The official climate locations of Duluth, MN and Intermational Falls, MN will both finish the year as the 3rd warmest since records began. Below are the current rankings for warmest average annual temperature.
Duluth, MN 1. 44.5 F in 1931 2. 44.4 F in 1887 *3. 44.0 F in 2012* 4. 43.2 F in 1998 5. 42.8 F in 1877		International Falls, MN 1. 42.2 F in 1987 2. 41.1 F in 1998 3. 40.5 F in 2012 4. 40.1 F in 1981 4. 40.1 F in 2006

The year 2012 started windy and snowy for much of the Northland. By the afternoon of January 1, 2012 there was a mix of 3-6 inches of snow combined with 40 mph winds to bring in the New Year.
January started the year off with a record setting warm spell. Many locations across the Northland saw record daily high temperautres in the 40s and 50s. The Duluth Airport also set a new record of the number of days in January with a temperature of 45 degrees or greater.
Spring of 2012 was one for the record books across northern MN and WI.
Duluth saw its all-time warmest spring on record in 2012 while International Falls, MN came in with its 4th warmest spring. Much of this warmth occurred in March with Duluth and International Falls, MN setting new records for the warmest average monthly temperature. There were 12 days in March that broke or tied the previous daytime high temperature at International Falls. Duluth saw 6 new daily high temperature records.
The record warm March brought a very rapid end to the snow cover and early start to the wildland fire season. Snow depth across northern MN on March 1st ranged from 12 to 24 inches, which was reduced by half by mid-March.
Northland Flood of June 19th-20th
July 2012 tied for the warmest July in Duluth.
July 16th 2012 brought record setting heat to the Northland. Many locations, including Duluth, recroded high temperatures in the 90s with heat index values around 100 degrees this day. July also brought 25 days with temperatures in the 80s at Duluth, setting a new record.
Warmest Meteorological Summer on Record at Duluth
September 21st marked the earliest measureable snowfall in Duluth in 17 years.
October 2012 brought an end to the 15 month streak of above normal monthly average temperatures at Duluth, MN. However, prior to this above normal run, the Duluth Airport recorded a 7 month streak of below normal months.
Thanksgiving Day Snowfall
December 9-10th Snowfall