2025 Astronomical Autumn Climate Summary

Temperatures - Mainly Warmer than Average

During Astronomical Autumn 2025 (September 22 through December 20), average temperatures ranged from 36.8°F at Medford Taylor County Airport, WI (AWOS) to 43.5°F at Prairie du Chien, WI (COOP) in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Temperature anomalies ranged from near normal to 3°F warmer than normal. The hottest temperature was 91°F at Mondovi, WI (COOP) on October 2. Meanwhile, the coldest temperature was -17°F at Dodge Center, MN (AWOS) on December 4.

Precipitation - Drier than Average

Precipitation was highly variable across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Precipitation varied from 3.16" near Fredericksburg (CoCoRaHS) to 6.97" near Wykoff, MN (CoCoRaHS). Precipitation anomalies ranged from near normal to 5" drier than normal. The highest one-day precipitation was 3.28" at Rochester International Airport, MN (ASOS) on September 22.

Snowfall - Mainly Above Average

Snowfall was mainly above average. Totals ranged from 7.3" at Alma Dam 4, WI (COOP) to 20.3" near Thorp, WI (CoCoRaHS). These values ranged from 5" below normal to 10" above normal. The snowiest day was 11" near Harpers Ferry, IA (CoCoRaHS) from 7 AM on November 29 to 7 AM on November 30.

The information below details astronomical autumn 2025 temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall for La Crosse WI, and Rochester MN.

La Crosse WI...
 

The astronomical Autumn of 2025  (September 22 through December 20) was warmer and drier than average in La Crosse, WI. More details can be found below.

Temperatures - Warmer than Average

Precipitation - Slightly Drier than Average

• During astronomical autumn, La Crosse Regional Airport received 4.95" of precipitation. 
• Which was 0.83" drier than the 1873-2025 long-term average of 5.78".  
• The wettest day occurred on September 22 when 1.70" fell.
• No precipitation fell on 45 days (50%).
• A trace of precipitation fell on 15 days (16.7%).
• Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) fell on 30 days (33.3%).

Snowfall - Above Average

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport received 12.5" of snow.
• This was 2.3" above the 1897-2025 long-term average of 10.2". 
• The snowiest day occurred on November 29 when 5.2" fell. This was the 16th largest 1-day November snowfall. It was the largest one-day snowfall since December 19, 2024 (6.6") and the largest one-day November snowfall since November 23, 1991 (5.4" - 15th largest single-day November snowfall).
• No snow fell on 72 days (80%).
• A trace of snow fell on 10 days (11.1%).
• Measurable (0.1" or greater) fell on 8 days (8.9%). 

Snow Depth - Above Average

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport had an average snow depth of 1.6".
• This was 1" greater than the 1893-2025 long-term average of 0.6". 
• The greatest snow depth was 8" on November 30, December 1, and December 10-11.

Rochester MN...

The astronomical Autumn of 2025 (September 22 through December 20) was warmer and wetter than normal at Rochester, MN. More details can be found below.

Temperatures - 22nd Warmest

Precipitation - Wetter than Normal

• During astronomical autumn, Rochester International Airport received 6.31" of precipitation.
• Which was 0.96" wetter than the 1886-2025 long-term average of 5.35". 
• The wettest day occurred on September 22 when 3.28" fell.
• No precipitation fell on 52 days (57.8%).
• A trace of precipitation fell on 11 days (12.2%).
• Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) fell on 27 days (30%).

Snowfall - Slightly Above Average

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near Rochester International Airport received 12.6" of snow.
• This was 0.4" greater than the 1933-2025 long-term average of 12.2". 
• The snowiest day occurred on November 29 when 7.6" fell. It was the largest one-day snowfall since March 15, 2021 (7.9"), and the largest November one-day snowfall since November 10, 2006 (10.5"). 
• No snow fell on 70 days (77.8%).
• A trace of snow fell on 6 days (6.7%).
• Measurable (0.1 inches or greater) fell on 14 days (15.6%).  

Snow Depth - Above Average

• During astronomical autumn, the official NWS snow observer near Rochester International Airport had an average snow depth of 1.4".
• This was 0.6" greater than the 1944-2025 long-term average of 0.8". 13th highest average.
• The greatest snow depth was 7" from November 30 through December 3, and from December 7 through December 12.