Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) -  The National Weather Service says Rochester experienced some rare - and very warm - weather conditions during the fall of 2015.

Here is the info from the NWS/La Crosse office:

During astronomical autumn, temperatures averaged 43.9 degrees at Rochester International Airport.  This was 6.5 degrees warmer than the long-term (1886-2015) average of 37.4 degrees.  This tied 2001 (46.8 degrees) for the warmest astronomical autumn.

The average high temperature was 52.6 degrees.  This was 5.8 degrees warmer than the long-term average of 46.8 degrees.  This tied 1913, 1918, and 1931 for the 3rd warmest average high temperature during an astronomical autumn.  Only 1953 (53.9 degrees) and 2001 (53.2 degrees) were warmer.

The average low temperature was 35.2 degrees.  This was 7.3 degrees warmer than the long-term average of 27.9 degrees.  This surpassed 1931 (34.7degrees) for the warmest average low temperature during an astronomical autumn.  The low temperature was below freezing only on 39 days (least ever - previous record was 27 days in 1931 and 2001) and below zero on 0 days.

  • The warmest high temperature was 84 degrees on October 11th.
  • The coldest high temperature was 23 degrees on December 18th.
  • The warmest low temperature was 59 degrees from September 23rd through September 25th and on September 28th.
  • The coldest low temperature was 6 degrees on December 19th.

Precipitation - Wetter than Average

During astronomical autumn, a total of 6.26 inches of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport.  This was 0.99 inches drier than the long-term average of 5.27 inches.

The wettest day occurred on December 14th when 1.15 inches of precipitation fell.

Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) precipitation fell on 26 days (29.2 percent) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 7 days (7.9 percent).

Snowfall - 9th Least Snow

During astronomical autumn, a total of 3.1 inches of snow fell at Rochester International Airport.  This was 9.3 inches below the long-term average of 12.4 inches.  This was the least since 2001 when only 1 inch fell.  The least was 0.5 inches in 1960.  

The snowiest day occurred on November 20th when 1.3 inches of snow fell.

Measurable (0.1 inches or greater) snow fell on 6 days (6.7 percent) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 4 days (4.5 percent).

Snow Depth - Tied for the Least

During astronomical autumn, the average snow depth at Rochester International Airport was 0 inches.  This was 0.8 inches below than the long-term average of 0.8 inches.  

The greatest snow depth was 1 inches on November 30th.

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