New All Time Yearly Precipitation Record In Minnesota
It isn’t December quite yet and Minnesota already has a new all-time precipitation record. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the city of Waseca has received 53.78″ of precipitation so far this year. The old record was from 1991, when the town of St. Francis recorded 53.52″. Waseca is located in South Central Minnesota, about 75 miles south of Minneapolis. Normal yearly precipitation for Waseca is 35.72″.
Minnesota's annual precipitation record has been broken at Waseca, with 53.78" as of Nov 28th. Old record 53.52" at St. Francis (1991) #mnwx pic.twitter.com/gvoWid47lG
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) November 29, 2016
MN State Climate Office: "The 2016 Waseca precip record is highest in over 20,000 MN statewide annual precip totals over the past 125 years"
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) November 29, 2016
The majority of the rain fell during flooding events in August and September. The area picked up more than double the amount of rain it receives typically during those two months. The most rain fell during severe storms on September 21-22. Around 10″ fell in only 48 hours.
Top 5 daily precipitation totals for 2016 at Waseca, Minnesota. 10.16" of the 53.78" total was measured on 2 days. (Sept 21st & 22nd) #mnwx pic.twitter.com/CqnLV3zwyu
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) November 29, 2016
Here are a few specific rainfall reports from around the area. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/MGNdOEgXMp
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) September 22, 2016
Sad day @WasecaArena pic.twitter.com/6d6l4SavP1
— WasecaCommunityArena (@WasecaArena) September 22, 2016
Live in Waseca this morning where the flooding continues following two days of torrential rain. Watch @kare11 now for my coverage. pic.twitter.com/Vgz0tr1Oyc
— Ivory Hecker (@IvoryHecker) September 23, 2016
Our affiliate in Minneapolis, KARE-TV, posted this report on the flooding event back in September. Our WeatherNation report is located here, showing significant flooding throughout Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. Rainfall was above average for most of the year in these areas as well. Much of Southern Minnesota saw above average precipitation over the Summer months.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels