2019 Astronomical Summer Summary

During astronomical summer (June 21 through September 22), temperatures averaged from near-normal to 2°F warmer than the 1981-2010 normal.  The coldest average temperature was at Medford, WI 63.9°F.  Meanwhile, the warmest average temperature was 73.4°F at La Crosse, WI.

Rainfall departures ranged from 2 to 8 inches wetter than the 1981-2010 normal.  Rainfall totals ranged from 11.16" near Nashua, IA to 26.89" near Lancaster, WI.

More detailed summaries for La Crosse and Rochester can be found below.

Astronomical Summer Temperature Departures from 1981-2010 Normals	Astronomical Summer Precipitation Departures from 1981-2010 Normals

La Crosse, WI

Astronomical Summer was Much Warmer and Wetter than the Long-Term Average in La Crosse WI 
 

The astronomical summer of 2019 (June 21 through September 22) was tied for 9th warmest (average temperature of 73.4°F) with 1995 and 2005, and 24th wettest (16.52") at La Crosse Regional Airport.

The average minimum temperature of 63.5°F.  This tied 1980 and 2016 for the 4th warmest average minimum temperature for an astronomical summer. The warmest average minimum temperature (64°F) just occurred last year.

More details are listed below... 

Temperatures - Tied for 9th Warmest with 1995 and 2005

During astronomical summer, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 73.4°F.  This was 3.3°F warmer than the long-term average of 70.1°F This was tied for the 9th warmest with 1995 and 2005.  

The table below lists the 10 warmest astronomical summers in La Crosse WI...

   Ten Warmest Astronomical Summers
           in La Crosse WI
              1873-2019

               Average
    Rank     Temperature     Year
    ----     -----------     ----
      1         74.5°F       1936
      2         74.4°F       1931
      3         74.2°F       1955
      4         73.9°F       2018
                73.9°F       1998
                73.9°F       1980
      7         73.7°F       1988
      8         73.5°F       1948
      9         73.4°F       2019
                73.4°F       2005
                73.4°F       1995 

The average maximum temperature was 83.2°F.  This was 2.8°F warmer than the long-term average of 80.4°F.  This was the 21st warmest.

The average minimum temperature of 63.5°F.  This was tied with 1980 and 2016 for the 4th warmest average minimum temperature for an astronomical summer. The warmest average minimum temperature (64°F) just occurred last year.

Other temperature tidbits this summer...

• The hottest temperature was 97°F on July 19th.
• The coldest high temperature was 62°F on September 8th. 
   
• The coldest temperature was 51°F on August 30th and September 5th. Only 2 astronomical summers have not fallen below 50 degrees.  They were 1884 (lowest temperature was 50°F) and 2017 (lowest temperature was 52°F). 
• The warmest low temperature was 74°F on September 21st.

The temperature climbed to or exceeded 90°F on 13 days.  The long-term average is 13 days in a summer.  

Precipitation - 24th Wettest

During the astronomical summer, La Crosse Regional Airport received 16.52" of rain.  This was 4.66" wetter than the long-term average of 11.86".  This was the 24th wettest summer.

Other precipitation tidbits this summer...

The wettest calendar day occurred on July 18th when 2.05 inches of precipitation fell.

Measurable rain fell on 32 days (34%) and trace amounts fell on another 18 days (19.1%). 

• 0.01 inches or more - 32 days 
• 0.10 inches or more - 27 days 
• 0.50 inches or more - 12 days 
• 1.00 inches or more -  4 days 

Rochester MN

Astronomical Summer was Slightly Warmer and Much Wetter than the Long-Term Average in Rochester Minnesota

The astronomical summer of 2019 (June 21 through September 22) was slightly warmer (68.7°F or 0.6°F warmer than the long-term average) and much wetter (22.68" - tied with 1938 for second wettest) than the long-term average at Rochester International Airport.

More details are listed below... 

Temperatures - 

During astronomical summer, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 68.7°F.  This was 0.6°F warmer than the long-term average of 68.1°F.  

The average maximum temperature was 78.2°F.  This was 1 degree colder than the long-term average of 79.2°F.  

The average minimum temperature was 59.2°F.  This was 2.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 57.0°F.  This was the 14th warmest.

Other temperature tidbits this summer...

• The hottest temperature was 90°F on July 19th.
• The coldest high temperature was 57°F on September 8th. 
   
• The coldest temperature was 46°F on September 14th. 
• The warmest low temperature was 74°F on July 19th.

The temperature climbed to or exceeded 90°F on 1 day.  The long-term average is 9 days.  

Precipitation - Tied with 1938 for 2nd wettest

During the astronomical summer, Rochester International Airport received 22.68 inches of rain.  This was 10.95 inches wetter than the long-term normal of 11.73 inches.  This tied 1938 for the second wettest summer.  The only summer which was wetter was 1978 (24.13 inches).  Seven of the 19 wettest summers have occurred since 1997. 

The table below lists the 10 wettest astronomical summers in Rochester MN...

  Ten Wettest Astronomical Summers
           in Rochester MN
              1887-2019
               
    Rank     Rainfall     Year
    ----     --------     ----
      1    24.13 inches   1978
      2    22.68 inches   2019
           22.68 inches   1938
      4    22.37 inches   1986
      5    21.74 inches   1942
      6    21.17 inches   2016
      7    19.99 inches   2007
      8    19.28 inches   1990
      9    18.83 inches   1981
     10    18.19 inches   1913

Other precipitation tidbits this summer...

The wettest day occurred on June 28th when 4.90" of precipitation fell.

Measurable rain fell on 38 days (40.4%) and trace amounts fell on another 13 days (13.8%). 

• 0.01 inches or more - 38 days 
• 0.10 inches or more - 28 days 
• 0.50 inches or more - 13 days 
• 1.00 inches or more -  7 days