November 2016 Saint Cloud Weather Summary

November 2016 continued the trend of extremely warm months. The average November temperature at the St. Cloud Regional Airport was 40.2°F, 9.6°F above average. This makes November 2016 the 2nd warmest November. The only warmer November in St. Cloud records was November 2001 with an average temperature of 41.8°F. Half of the 10 warmest Novembers have occurred since 1999, keeping the trend of mild cold seasons over the past 20 years. It's also the 10th month of the year that was at least 2 degrees above average.

27 of 30 November days had above average temperature with 16 days total and 13 of the first 17 days in the month having temperatures at least 10 degrees warmer than average. The average temperature was running more than 12 degrees above average during that period before colder air moved in along with three days of snowfall. Still, aside from three lows in the teens on November 19-21, low temperatures were 10-20 degrees warmer than average for the rest of the month.

There were 8 November days with a high of 60 degrees or warmer, which beats last November's 7 days. The only November with more 60-degree highs is 2001 with 10 days.

The last 70 degree high was November 5 with a high of 72 degrees, which tied the November 5 record high. It was the 5th latest date for the last 70-degree high. The latest was November 13, 1999.

The very warn November pushed the average meteorological fall (Sept 1-Nov 30) temperature to 50.2°F, more than five degrees above the 44.9°F average. That means the fall of 2016 tied for the 4th warmest in St. Cloud records with 1908 and 1914. Last fall was milder by 0.5 degree. The two other falls that had a higher temperature were 1963 (51.3) and 1931 (51.2).

The warm fall, combined with a very warm 2015-2016 cold season ( 8th warmest) has put St. Cloud on track for one of the 10 warmest years on record. If December has average temperatures, then 2016 would move into a tie with 1900 and 2006 for 6th place.

The month began extremely dry with no measurable rain or snow until the night of November 17. Then, thunderstorms set the stage for a snow and ice storm that produced 4.1 inches at the St. Cloud Airport on November 18, tying the daily record set in 1947. The month ended up with 7.3 inches of snow, 1.6 inches less than average and 1.67 inches of precipitation, more than a third of an inch above average.

There were 7 days (through November 28) with measurable precipitation, bringing the 2016 total to 122 days. This ranks as the 12th highest total in St. Cloud records with one month to go. The record is 137 days in 1951 and 1977.

*tied for 4th warmest fall