Southeast Minnesota - MN09

Included Counties: Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona, Mower, Fillmore, Houston

Watersheds:

Twin Cities, Lower Minnesota, Rush-Vermillion, Cannon, Buffalo-Whitewater, Zumbro, La Crosse-Pine, Root, Coon-Yellow, Upper Iowa, Upper Wapsipinicon, Upper Cedar

Southeast Minnesota has a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. It’s location near the center of the continent gives it to some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, with four distinct seasons. Average annual precipitation is approximately 35 inches (89 cm) Winter is characterized by cold temperatures. Snow is the main form of winter precipitation, but freezing rain, sleet, and occasionally rain are all possible during the winter months. Alberta clippers or Panhandle hooks; common weather patterns in the region, often develop into blizzards. Annual snowfall can be highly variable, but heavy snowfall years are common and anticipated. Spring weather transitions rapidly from snowstorms in early-spring to severe thunderstorms and tornado outbreaks in the late-spring. Summers are hot and humid, conditions that make encourage thunderstorm activity 30–40 days per year. Summer high temperatures average in the mid-80s F (30 °C). The growing season (freeze-free season) is roughly 160 days. Fall reverses spring weather patterns. Weather become variable into October and November and is notorious for changing abruptly from fair to major winter storms.