Weather

July 2005 Saint Cloud Hot Weather In Perspective

Is the Summer of 2005 one of the hottest summers on record? Not yet!

  • The often cited statistic of 9 straight days (and 16 total July days) with a high of at least 90°F only applies to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
  • This statistics does not prove that Summer 2005 is the warmest. The usual statistic is average temperature.
  • It's been many years since the long hot streak has been matched partly because we have had very few summers since 1990 which have been much warmer than normal (1995, 1999, and 2001 namely).

This is not to say that heat isn't serious weather. More people in the US die each year from heat (175) versus tornadoes (50 in recent years).

 

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

Most Often Cited Statistic Not True in Saint Cloud

While the Twin Cities managed to have 9 consecutive days (July 9-17) with a high of at least 90°F, Saint Cloud was one degree short of a similar streak. The high on Tuesday, July 12 "only" reached 89°F. There were two official heat waves (3 or more days with a high of at least 90°F) in Saint Cloud on July 9-11 and July 13-17. The five-day streak had been most recently duplicated in 1995 and 2001. Longer recent streaks include a seven-day streaks in 1988 and 1995.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   
Saint Cloud Consecutive Days with Highs >= 90°F
Rank
Days
Dates
1
14
July 5-18, 1936
2
12
July 13-24, 1901
3
10
June 16-25, 1910
4(tie)
9
July 31 - August 8, 1930
4(tie)
9
July 24 - August 1, 1935
4(tie)
9
July 15-23, 1964
7(tie)
8
June 19-26, 1911
7(tie)
8
July 14-21, 1932
7(tie)
8
July 2-9, 1948
10(tie)
7
July 18 -24, 1940
10(tie)
7
July 22-28, 1941
10(tie)
7
August 18-24, 1976
10(tie)
7
July 26 - August 1, 1988
10(tie)
7
June 16 - 22, 1995
15(tie)
6
10 streaks, most recently in 1966
25(tie)
5

19 streaks, most recently
July 10-14, 1995
August 4-8, 2001
July 14-18, 2005

 

There were nine 90+ degree highs in July 2005, the most since 1999 (9 days), but only ties for 16th place for the most 90+ degree days in July.

The Twin Cities will rank higher with 16 90-degree days in July.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   
July Days with High of >= 90°F
Rank
Number
Year
1
20
1936
2
15
1935
3
14
1916
4(tie)
13
1901
4(tie)
13
1988
6(tie)
12
1966
6(tie)
12
1975
8(tie)
11
1910
8(tie)
11
1914
8(tie)
11
1930
8(tie)
11
1931
8(tie)
11
1937
8(tie)
11
1964
16(tie)
9
2005
 

The 12th 90-degree high of the summer was set on August 8. The normal number of 90-degree days for a given summer is 11.4 days. During recent years, there were as many or more 90-degree days during the summers of 1989 (11 days), 1995 (15 days), 1999 (12 days), 2001 (18 days), and 2003 (12 days). Note at right that, during the extreme heat wave and drought of 1988, there were 33 days with a high of at least 90 degrees.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   
Most 90+ Degree Highs - Year
Rank
Year
Days
1
1936
36
2
1900
34
3
1988
33
4
1931
31
5
1910
29
6 (tie)
1933
28
6 (tie)
1934
28
8
1937
26
9 (tie)
1901
25
9 (tie)
1930
25
     
43(tie)
7 years tied, including 1999, 2003, 2005
12
 

Hottest High of This Year or Previous Years?

Despite the recent heat, which produced temperatures as warm as 99°F in Cambridge on July 16, the hottest Saint Cloud temperature were 96°F on July 16 and 95°F on July 17. So, the hottest temperature for the year so far (and the hottest since 2001) was the 98°F high on June 23.

98°F is the hottest temperature we've seen in Saint Cloud since 1990. However, that is a reflection of how cool the summers since 1990 have been.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 

 
Saint Cloud Hottest Annual Temperatures (1988-2005)
Year
Hottest High (°F)
Date
Days with High >= 97°F
1988
102°F
June 24, July 31
13
(7 days with >= 100°F)
1989
98°F
August 4
1
1990
101°F
July 3
1
1991
95°F
July 18
0
1992
92°F
June 12, August 9
0
1993
90°F
August 10
0
1994
95°F
June 14
0
1995
97°F
June 17, July 13
2
1996
96°F
June 28
0
1997
95°F
June 23
0
1998
94°F
May 18
0
1999
98°F
July 30
2
2000
94°F
June 9
0
2001
98°F
August 6, 7
4
2002
95°F
June 30, July 6
0
2003
96°F
August 24
0
2004
96°F
June 30
0
2005
98°F
June 23
1
 

Extreme Warm Low Temperatures for July

Saint Cloud doesn't have a long-term record of humidity or dew point temperature, the latter of which is the best measure of the amount of moisture in the air and, therefore, the discomfort. However, the low temperature frequently reaches close to the dew point temperature, so very warm lows, especially of 70°F and warmer, are a pretty good measure of how oppressive it's been. Also, warm low temperatures during heat waves have been proven to be more detrimental to the body, making the heat wave more dangerous.

Thus far, there have been four July days in the with a low temperature of 70°F and warmer. That ties with 10 other years for the 8th highest total. Since 1975, only July 2002 and 2005 have had at least 4 days with a low temperature this warm. So, this supports thinking of this month as one of the most humid Julys on record.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   
July Days with Lows >= 70°F
Rank
Year
Days
1
10
1936
2(tie)
8
1901
2(tie)
8
1935
4(tie)
7
1931
4(tie)
7
1941
6(tie)
5
1932
6(tie)
5
1955
6(tie)
5
1975
8(tie)
4
1897
8(tie)
4
1904
8(tie)
4
1916
8(tie)
4
1917
8(tie)
4
1933
8(tie)
4
1937
8(tie)
4
1940
8(tie)
4
1963
8(tie)
4
1964
8(tie)
4
2002
8(tie)
4
2005
 

Extreme Lows Higher Rated than Any Other Statistic

Through the end of July, Saint Cloud has had 5 days with a 70-degree lows. The average number in a year is 3.02 days. Recent years with more include 2002 (6 days), 1991, and 2001 (5 days each).

The one day in June had a low temperature of 76°F, only the 51st day in Saint Cloud history with a low temperature of 75°F or warmer.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   
Annual Days with Lows >= 70°F
Rank
Year
Days
1
1931
16
2 (tie)
1900
11
2 (tie)
1936
11
4
1937
10
5
1941
9
6 (tie)
1897
8
6 (tie)
1901
8
6 (tie)
1935
8
6 (tie)
1947
8
6 (tie)
1955
8
20(tie) 8 years including 1991, 2001, 2005
5
 

Potential for a Near-Record Summer?

So, what would it take for 2005 to be one of Saint Cloud's ten warmest summers on record? The table at right shows that it would take another month of temperatures about 3 degrees warmer than normal to tie for 10th place with 1932. A normal August would produce only a tie for the 25th warmest summer. To tie the hottest summer in Saint Cloud history (1933 with a 72.7°F temperature), this August would have to be at least the second warmest August in Saint Cloud records.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 

 

Summer Average Temperatures by Month

 

June

July

Summer Average Rank Among Warmest St. Cloud Summers

2005 + August 1-8

70.1°F

72.9°F

2005 + Normal August

70.1°F

72.9°F

67.2°F

70.1°F

25th

To Break into Top 10

70.1°F

72.9°F

70.3°F
71.1°F
10th

To Make Warmest

70.1°F

72.9°F

72.7°F
1st
 

So How Hot Was This July?

The usual method of ranking the heat is by average temperature.

By average temperature, July 2005 was warmer than normal but far less extreme than relatively recent summers like 1988. On the final day of the month, July 2005 moved 0.1°F ahead of July 2002. This does make July 2005 the warmest July since 1988, but a full degree and a half behind its warmest point.

This reinforces how cool recent Julys have been rather than how warm July 2005 has been.

In contrast, the Twin Cities just finished the 11th warmest July on record.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar    &nbnbsp; 
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   

Saint Cloud's 10 Warmest Julys

Rank

Avg. Temp.

Year

1

78.9°F

1936

2

77.6°F

1921

3

77.4°F

1935

4

77.0°F

1916

5

76.6°F

1901

6

76.0°F

1887

7

75.3°F

1888

8

74.8°F

1931

9

74.7°F

1955

10

74.6°F

1988

11(tie)

74.5°F

1914

11(tie)

74.5°F

1933

13(tie)

74.4°F

1894

13(tie)

74.4°F

1966

Warmest point in July

74.4°F

July 1-24, 2005

16

74.2°F

1964

17

73.9°F

1885

18(tie)

73.8°F

1881

18(tie)

73.8°F

1930

18(tie)

73.8°F

1934

 

 

 

32(tie)

72.9°F

2005

 

July Average Low Temperature

The sticky weather of July 2005 was noted by the very warm average low temperature. Through July 24, this July had the warmest low since 1966. However, the cooler weather of the past week knocked July 2005 to 24th place. Recently, July 2002 had a warmer low temperature, but no other July since the 1980's (1983,1987) has had low temperatures this warm.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   

Saint Cloud's 10 Warmest July Average Low Temperatures

Rank

Avg. Low Temp.

Year

1

66.4°F

1935

2

65.3°F

1921

3(tie)

64.8°F

1901

3(tie)

64.8°F

1916

5

64.6°F

1936

6

63.9°F

1955

7

63.5°F

1897

8

63.0°F

1933

9

62.6°F

1966

10

62.5°F

1923

Warmest point in July

62.4°F

July 1-24, 2005

11(tie)

62.3°F

1931

11(tie)

62.3°F

1938

11(tie)

62.3°F

2002

14

62.2°F

1957

15

62.1°F

1939

16(tie)

62.0°F

1930

16(tie)

62.0°F

1983

18

61.7°F

1937

19(tie)

61.5°F

1914

19(tie)

61.5°F

1919

19(tie)

61.5°F

1964

19(tie)

61.5°F

1987

24

61.2°F

2005

 

Six Week Dry Spell?

The continued hot and dry weather through most of July has browned lawns and dried out forests, especially in the eastern half of Minnesota. The deficit was as large as two and 3/4 inches on July 19. However, three heavy rainfalls in 5 days during July 20-25 eased the situation quite a bit.

The effect of the rain shortfall is quite regional as shown by the latest Minnesota growing season rainfall map from the Minnesota State Climatology Office. In general, eastern portions of Minnesota appear in the greens (normal rainfall) and yellows (below normal rainfall) for the growing season while most of western Minnesota appear in blue (above normal). The area of below normal rainfall is generally south and east of Little Falls, Sauk Centre, Paynesville, Willmar, and Clara City.

More details on Minnesota's dry July from the Minnesota State Climatology Office.

Hot Summer 2005 Toolbar      
July Monthly Hot Temps 
90°F+ Highs  
Warm Lows 
Rainfall

 
   

Saint Cloud Dry Spell Since Mid-June

Time Period

Actual Rainfall

Normal Rainfall

June 15-30

1.43 inch

2.41 inch

July 1-19

0.31 inch

2.09 inch

June 15 to July 19 Totals (largest deficit)

1.74* inches (*2.76 in below normal)

4.50 inches

July 20-25

1.79 inch

0.60 inch

July 25-31

0.01 inch

0.75 inch

June 15 to July 31 Totals

3.54**inches (*2.21 in below normal)

5.75 inches

 

 

Daily Normals by Month

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year

Daily Records by Month

Historic temperature data provided courtesy of the Saint Cloud National Weather Service Office, and NOAA/NWS
National Weather Service logo NOAA logo

Send comments to: raweisman@stcloudstate.edu