NEW ULM — It felt more like August than October as the temperature reached 85 degrees Monday afternoon.

“It’s been quite warm. It’s going to be warm and dry for the next five to seven days,” said National Weather Service (NWS) Twin Cities Meteorologist Brent Hewett.

He said New Ulm’s previous NWS high temperature record for Oct. 21 was 83 degrees, set in 1947. NWS weather records go back to 1871.

“Temperatures will be warm part of next week too,” said Hewett.

There’s a chance of rain Tuesday and Thursday this week and Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

“Chances are less than a coin flip. It won’t be widespread rain, but at this point, anything is nice. Some places haven’t had rain since late August. It’s very, very dry. We could see more rain as we end October and start November,” he said.

The planet had its warmest October on record in 2023 with the average global temperature 2.41 degrees F. above the 20th-century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The warmest Halloween on record in Minnesota was 83 degrees in 1950. The last 25 years have had some balmy Halloween afternoons, such as a 71-degree high in 2000, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Similar warm weather has continued into November, but not often. November 8, 9 and 13, 1999 brought unusually warm temperatures to the central United States.

Highs of 82 degrees were measured at official NWS recording sites in Canby, Olivia and Redwood Falls in 1999. It was 81 in Hutchinson and Lamberton, and 80 degrees in Montevideo, Willmar and Winnebago.

Unofficial airport locations show that Redwood Falls and St. James reached 81 or 82 degrees Nov. 8, 1999. Fairmont, Jackson, St. James and Windom topped 80 degrees on Nov. 13.