Black Friday Climate

The odds of having precipitation on Black Friday is 50% (25 out of 50).  There has been measurable (0.01" or greater) precipitation on 15 Black Fridays (30%) and trace amounts (less than 0.01") of precipitation on 10 Black Fridays (20%). 

It has snowed on 16 out of 50 (32%) Black Fridays.  Measurable snow (0.1" or greater) has fallen on 6 Black Fridays (12%) and trace amounts on 10 Black Fridays (20%).

Residents have woken up with measurable snow (1/2" or greater) on the ground 11 times (22.9%), trace amounts (less than a 1/2") 5 times (10.4%), and no snow 33 times (67.3%).  

Looking back at 2024 (November 29), the high temperature was 24°F, and the low temperature was 15°F.  A trace of precipitation and snow fell.  There was no snow on the ground.  The average wind speed was 13.7 mph.

Rochester, MN:

The following statistics comprise 50 years of data. This data has been gathered at Rochester International Airport.

The odds of having precipitation on Black Friday is 48% (24 out of 50).  There has been measurable (0.01" or greater) precipitation on 15 Black Fridays (30%) and trace amounts (less than 0.01") of precipitation on 9 Black Fridays (18%). 

It has snowed on 19 out of 50 (38%) Black Fridays.  Measurable snow (0.1" or greater) has fallen on 8 Black Fridays (16%) and trace amounts on 11 Black Fridays (22%).

Residents have woken up with measurable snow (1/2" or greater) on the ground 14 times (28%), trace amounts (less than a 1/2") 4 times (8%), and no snow 32 times (64%).  

Looking back at 2024 (November 29), the high temperature was 19°F and the low temperature was 8°F.  A trace of snow and precipitation fell. There was no snow on the ground.  The average wind speed was 16.6 mph.

The following weather events have occurred on Black Fridays in southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and western Wisconsin:

• In 1977 (November 25), temperatures slowly fell throughout the day. After midnight high temperatures in the 10°F to 30°F range, temperatures slowly fell the remainder of the day. Temperatures during the day were primarily in the single digits with wind chills of -10°F to -25°F. This was the coldest Black Friday on record for both La Crosse, WI (average temperature of 6.5°F) and Rochester MN (average temperature of -1.5°F). 
• In 1991 (November 29), a strong low pressure system moved from Kansas during the morning of the 29th, across Iowa and Wisconsin, and north of Lake Superior by noon on the 30th.  A mixture of rain, freezing rain, and sleet fell across southern one-quarter of Minnesota and northwest Iowa (where 1 inch or more of ice accumulated in many areas, with up to 2 inches in some locations - numerous trees were downed and power was lost in most communities). Heavy accumulations of ice on trees and power lines knocked out power to at least 4,000 residents across the area.  Interstate 90 was ice-covered and treacherous with numerous car accidents reported.  Rochester, MN received 1.60 inches of precipitation fell (their wettest Black Friday).  At 9:30 PM, a severe thunderstorm produced a 60 mph wind gust 5 miles southeast of New Haven, IA (Mitchell County).  
• In 1993 (November 26), Owen, WI received 6 inches of snow.
• In 2017 (November 24), temperatures warmed into the lower and mid-60s along and south of the Interstate 94 corridor.  La Crosse WI had its warmest high (65°F)  and warmest average (53°F) temperature ever recorded on a Black Friday.  Rochester MN had its warmest average temperature (49°F) on Black Friday. 
• In 2019 (November 29), a quarter-inch of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport.  This made it the 3rd wettest Black Friday in Rochester.  Only 1991 (November 29 - 1.60") and 1996 (November 20 - 0.48") were wetter. 
• In 2021 (November 26), Rochester International Airport had a low temperature of 11°F.  This was the 9th coldest low on Black Friday. La Crosse, WI had a low temperature of 15°F.  This was tied for the 8th coldest low on a Black Friday with 1978, 1983, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2007, and 2010.
• In 2022 (November 25), high temperatures ranged from 41°F at Medford Airport to 57°F at Alma Dam 4, WI. La Crosse Regional Airport had a high temperature of 50°F. This made it the 6th warmest Black Friday and the warmest Black Friday since 2017 (65°F - warmest Black Friday). Rochester International Airport had a high temperature of 48°F.  Like La Crosse, this was their 6th warmest Black Friday and the warmest Black Friday since 2017 (62°F - 2nd warmest Black Friday).
• In 2023 (November 24), high temperatures ranged from 27°F at Dodge Center, MN (AWOS) and Medford, WI (AWOS) to 33°F at Boscobel, WI (ASOS) and Decorah, IA (COOP). The high temperature at La Crosse Regional Airport was 31°F.  This was tied with 1993 for the 7th coldest Black Friday, and the coldest high on Black Friday since 2014 (29°F). At Rochester International Airport, the high temperature was 28°F.  This was the 10th coldest high on Black Friday, and the coldest high on Black Friday since 2015 (27°F). Low temperatures ranged from 7°F at Sparta, WI (ASOS) to 19°F at Prairie du Chien, WI (AWOS).  The low temperature at La Crosse Regional Airport was 15°F. This was tied for 8th coldest with 9 other Black Fridays and it was the coldest low temperature on Black Friday since 2021 (15°F).  At Rochester International Airport, the low temperature was 11°F. This was tied with 2021 for the 9th coldest low on Black Friday.