Minnesota Weather Almanac

by Seeley, Mark W.

• ISBN13: 9780873515542
• ISBN10: 0873515544
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-31
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Pr

Summary

During which winter in history did Minnesotans experience the greatest amount of snow? What makes our state prone to tornados? What town claims the highest temperature ever recorded? How does one predict when the leaves will change color? Were hunters really found frozen after the infamous Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940? How will ozone depletion affect our environment? From the dog days of summer and the first sweater weather of fall to "cold enough for you?" winter mornings, Minnesotans love to talk about weather. Now beloved climatologist and Minnesota Public Radio commentator Mark Seeley provides all the answers inMinnesota Weather Almanac. Through charts, maps, and reader-friendly text, Seeley measures Minnesota's history in terms of high temperatures, significant rainfall, and devastating blizzards. He defines the character of our seasons and the climatology of our holidays: Groundhog Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and everything in between. He shares stories from climate stations around the state and biographies of well-known figures in weather history. Local meteorologist Belinda Jensen writes in the Foreword, "You may not be able to do anything about the weather, butMinnesota Weather Almanacwill help you understand and appreciate its complexity and beauty. Whether planning your garden, dressing for a February day, settling a bet, or simply making small talk with a neighbor, you will find in this fascinating guide all the facts and figures, trials and tales you need.

Author Biography

Mark Seeley is a climatologist and meteorologist at the University of Minnesota–St. Paul and offers weekly commentary on Minnesota Public Radio. Belinda Jensen is the meteorologist for K102 and Cities 97 radio stations and weekend meteorologist for KARE-11 News. 

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Belinda Jensen
Introduction	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Crossroads of Climate	3	(36)
Geography	4	(2)
Urbanization	6	(2)
Climate Observations and Climate Stations	8	(4)
Climate Characteristics	12	(27)
Community Foundations for Climate History	39	(28)
Earliest Observations	62	(5)
Minnesota's Winter	67	(56)
Coldest Places	85	(5)
Winter Storms	90	(25)
Significant Days	115	(8)
Minnesota's Spring	123	(28)
Snowmelt Floods	129	(8)
May Rituals	137	(2)
Meteorological Lamentations	139	(2)
Significant Days	141	(10)
Minnesota's Summer	151	(72)
Hottest Places	157	(8)
Severe Convective Weather	165	(36)
The Growing Season	201	(13)
Mother Nature Blessed the Grand Excursion	214	(4)
Significant Days	218	(5)
Minnesota's Fall	223	(22)
Indian Summer	230	(2)
Fire Weather	232	(8)
Significant Days	240	(5)
Telling Minnesota's Weather Story	245	(14)
Climate Trends, Climate Variability, and Minnesota's Future	259	(9)
Appendix: Statewide Daily Climate Records	268	(10)
Bibliography	278	(4)
Weather Quiz Answers	282	(1)
Index	283