Multi-inch soaking boosts yearly rainfall totals above normal

We’re finally above average for yearly rainfall in much of southern Minnesota.

Tuesday’s heavy rainfall dropped 2 to 5 inches of rain from around the Twin Cities westward. Less than an inch of rain fell across most of northern Minnesota.

More than 5 inches of rain fell just west of Annandale. That’s more than a month’s worth of rainfall.

Here are some of the impressive rainfall totals reported Wednesday:

• Annandale, 5.65 inches

• Maple Lake, 3.09 inches

• Sleepy Eye, 2.72 inches

• Monticello, 2.7 inches

• Howard Lake, 2.62 inches

• Buffalo, 2.61 inches

• Hutchinson, 2.45 inches

• Twin Cities, between 1.3 and 2 inches

• Alexandria, 1.3 inches

• Brainerd area, around 1 inch

• Rochester, 0.70 of an inch

• Duluth, 0.57 of an inch

• Red River Valley 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch

Below is the map of 24-hour rainfall totals from the Midwest Regional Climate Center. Drought areas in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa also got a good soaking rainfall.

This week’s rain puts the yearly precipitation total at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 5.57 inches. That’s about half an inch above normal year to date!

Frost ahead

Clearing skies and colder temperatures over the next several days will bring widespread frost and freezing temperatures to Minnesota. The minimum temperature Friday and Saturday morning will fall into the low 30s around southern Minnesota with 20s north.

The average date of the last 32-degree temperature in the Twin Cities is April 25. So frost is still common this time of year.