National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

October 2009 ended up much below normal across a majority of the Northern Plains, including much of South Dakota and west-central Minnesota.  Below are a few interesting temperature facts at Pierre, Aberdeen, and Watertown. Tables listing the top 10 coldest temperatures are provided.  A more complete summary of October 2009 will be provided within the next couple of days.

 
At Pierre: 
  • The average daily temperature of 40.4 was the 2nd coldest on record.
  • The average high temperature of 47.9 was the all time coldest on record.
  • The average low temperature of 32.8 was the 7th coldest on record.
 
At Aberdeen:
  • The average daily temperature of 40.2 was the 4th coldest on record.
  • The average high temperature of 47.5 was the 3rd coldest on record.
 
At Watertown:
  • The average daily temperature of 39.1 was the 4th coldest on record.
  • The average high temperature of 45.5 was the 2nd coldest on record.
 
 
 
 Top Ten Coldest Average October Temperatures in Pierre (1933-2009)
 

 

 
Value
Year(s)
1
39.7
2002
2
40.4
2009
3
42.2
1969
4
44.3
1959
5
44.8
1946
6
45.5
2006, 1972
8
46.2
1987
9
46.3
1976, 1970
  
Top Ten Coldest Average October Temperatures in Aberdeen (1893-2009)
  

 

 
Value
Year(s)
1
35.5
1925
2
37.6
2002
3
39.8
1919
4
40.2
2009
5
40.3
1898
6
41.4
1899
7
41.7
1905, 1959
9
42.0
2006
10
42.6
1969

 

Top Ten Coldest Average October Temperatures in Watertown (1893-2009)

 

 

 
Value
Year(s)
1
34.2
1925
2
35.5
1917
3
37.6
2002
4
39.1
2009
5
41.0
1919
6
41.2
1959
7
41.3
1913
8
41.6
1969
9
42.1
1976
10
42.2
1916