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Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

During the 2020-21 astronomical winter (December 21-March 19), both La Crosse WI and Rochester MN averaged warmer than the long-term average.  It was drier than the long-term average at La Crosse and slightly wetter than the long-term average at Rochester MN.  Below are more details on each of these sites.

La Crosse WI...


Temperatures - Warmer-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, temperatures averaged 23.4°F at La Crosse Regional Airport.  This was 2.5°F warmer than the long-term (1872-2021) average of 20.9°F.  
     
  • Average high temperature was 32.3°F.  This was 2.6°F warmer than the long-term average of 29.7°F.  
  • Average low temperature was 14.4°F.  This was 2.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 12.2°F.  
     
  • Warmest high temperature was 69°F on March 9.
  • Coldest high temperature was -2°F on February 14.
     
  • The warmest low temperature was 43°F on March 10.
  • The coldest low temperature was -21°F on February 15. 

Precipitation - Drier-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, a total of 2.79" of precipitation fell at La Crosse Regional Airport.  This was 0.93" drier than the long-term average of 3.72".
  • Wettest day occurred on March 10 when 0.47" of precipitation fell.
  • Measurable (0.01 inches or greater) precipitation fell on 21 days (23.6%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 14 days (15.7%).

Snowfall - Slightly Snowier-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, a total of 29.7" of snow fell at La Crosse Regional Airport.  This was 0.5" snowier than the long-term average of 29.2".
  • Snowiest day occurred on February 4 when 5.8" of snow fell.
  • Measurable (0.1" or greater) snow fell on 19 days (21.3%) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 12 days (13.5%).

Snow Depth - Slightly Higher-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, the average snow depth at La Crosse Regional Airport was 4.7".  This was 0.3" higher than the long-term average of 4.4".  
  • Measurable snow was on the ground on 73 days or 82% of the season.
  • There was no snow on the ground on 15 days or 16.9% of the season.
  • Greatest snow depth was 14" on February 22.

Rochester... 


Temperatures - Warmer-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, temperatures averaged 19.7°F at Rochester International Airport.  This was 1.9°F warmer than the long-term average (1886-2021) of 17.8°F.
     
  • Average high temperature was 27.4°F.  This was 0.9°F warmer than the long-term average of 26.5°F.  
  • Average low temperature was 12°F.  This was 3°F warmer than the long-term average of 9°F.  
     
  • Warmest high temperature was 61°F on March 9.
  • Coldest high temperature was -8°F on February 14.
     
  • Warmest low temperature was 37°F on March 9.
  • Coldest low temperature was -23°F on February 15. 

Precipitation - Slightly Wetter-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, a total of 3.33" of precipitation fell at Rochester International Airport.  This was 0.25" wetter than the long-term average of 3.08".
  • Wettest day occurred on March 15 when 1.10" of precipitation fell.
  • Measurable (0.01" or greater) precipitation fell on 21 days (23.6%) and trace amounts of precipitation fell on another 19 days (21.3%).

Snowfall -  Slightly Snowier-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, a total of 32.9" of snow fell at Rochester International Airport.  This was 4.3" snowier than the long-term average of 28.6".  
  • Snowiest day occurred on March 15 when 7.9" of snow fell.
  • Measurable (0.1" or greater) snow fell on 21 days (23.6%) and trace amounts of snow fell on another 15 days (16.9%).

Snow Depth - Slightly Lower-than-Average

  • During astronomical winter, the average snow depth at Rochester International Airport was 4.2".  This was 1.4" lower than the long-term average of 5.6".  
  • Measurable snow was on the ground on 68 days or 76.4% of the season.
  • There was no snow on the ground on 13 days or 14.6% of the season.
  • Greatest snow depth was 11" on February 22.