July 2005 Saint Cloud Hot Weather In Perspective

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.