Autumn off to a wet start
Drier weather expected in October
A crane takes flight over the Minnesota River during Thursday’s rainstorm. A little over half an inch fell on New Ulm Tuesday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Water pools along the bike path near 3rd South Street Thursday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Stormwater discharges into the Minnesota River near the Riverside Park boat landing during Thursday’s rainstorm. Photo by Clay Schuldt
A crane takes flight over the Minnesota River during Thursday’s rainstorm. A little over half an inch fell on New Ulm Tuesday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Water pools along the bike path near 3rd South Street Thursday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Stormwater discharges into the Minnesota River near the Riverside Park boat landing during Thursday’s rainstorm. Photo by Clay Schuldt
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NEW ULM - On Tuesday, New Ulm saw over half an inch of rainfall, adding to an already wetter than normal start to autumn.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed rainfall across Minnesota is above average for September; however, it is far from record-breaking precipitation.
"We have seen more rain this fall, especially across southern Minnesota," NWS meteorologist Melissa Dye said.
She said the average September rainfall for the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is 2.3 inches. As of Thursday, Mankato climate stations had reported 2.65 inches of rain for the month, only slightly above average.
St. Cloud was also above average for September. The city typically averages 2.3 inches in September, but saw 4 inches this month.
Though rain averages are up in south central Minnesota, the southeast section of the state was hit the hardest. A Sept. 18 storm dropped 8-inches of rain near Spring Valley, 7-inches at Lanesboro and 6-inches near Preston, Chatfield and Caledonia.
Though rainfall is above average across the state, its in line with what was predicted for this year and is close to summer rainfall totals.
Dye said in June, Mankato saw 2.87 inches of rain, 2.65 inches in July and 1.88 inches in June.
"I think since the last few falls have been a lot drier, it seems a lot higher than normal," she said.
Looking into next month, Dye said the first half of October is expected to be fairly dry with above average temperatures in the high 60s.
New Ulm is expected to see some of the drier and sunnier weather next week. The clouds and fog are expected to hang over New Ulm Wednesday and Thursday. There is a chance of showers Saturday afternoon, but the clouds will clear out by Sunday.