Final Numbers on the Cold October

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