We finally get a taste of summer
Wednesday's forecast for Brainerd promised the possibility of a 90-degree day, a rarity in these parts this year.
It wasn't to be, however, as the thermometer peaked at 89 degrees at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport weather observation station. While it was the highest temperature recorded at the airport in 2009, it represented one more day of temperatures failing to reach 90 degrees or above in a streak that dates back to Sept. 6, 2007 - almost two years ago - when the temp hit 91 degrees at the airport.
The DNR, which also tracks temperatures at its Brainerd office, recorded a temperature of 90 degrees on Aug. 18, 2008. The airport's high temp that day was 89 degrees.
Greg Spoden, DNR state climatologist, said this past July was the coolest on record in the Midwest and the third coolest on record for Minnesota. This meteorological summer - June, July and August - also is on pace to be the coldest on record, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported.
Mike Faas wiped his brow Wednesday while working on a house in north Brainerd. The carpenter was remodeling a house in the nearly 90-degree heat. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls» Purchase reprints of this photo.
"If you get to 90 degrees, it will be quite unique for this year and for last," Spoden said.
The cause of the cool temperatures, Spoden said, is the air that has settled over the state for most of the spring and summer. A strong, stagnant high pressure system over the Pacific coast and a strong, stagnant low pressure system over the Great Lakes has allowed cool air from the Canadian prairie provinces to settle over Minnesota.
"What that has meant is a majority of the air is coming from northwest, a cool source of air and a dry source air," Spoden said. "We're at a climatic crossroads."
It's also meant dry conditions throughout the Midwest - except in the Brainerd area, which is enjoying near-normal precipitation this year.
"You folks are an island of green in the midst of drought throughout the state," Spoden said.
The recent string of cool summer temperatures is not unprecedented, Spoden said. Brainerd did not record a temperature of 90 degrees or above in 1992, and did so only once in 1993 and 1994.
Brainerd area residents will just have to wait for a 90-degree day, but not long. The National Weather Service in Duluth is forecasting high temps of 89-94 degrees on Thursday, 90-95 degrees Friday and 85-90 degrees on Saturday. Temps will cool Saturday night and Sunday, with a 40-50 percent chance of rain forecast.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.