To: Cathy Wurzer, Jim Bickal, Eugene Cha, and Julie Siple From: Mark Seeley Re: Suggestions for MPR's Morning Edition, November 1, 2002 Topic: October Wrap-Up Most Minnesotans are happy to see October end. It has been one of the coldest, cloudiest, and wettest Octobers in recent memory. Solar radiation (sunshine) as measured by the University of Minnesota was a new record low for October (lowest of 40 years since 1963). Most observers reported a wetter than normal month, with some exceptions in the northern counties. Snowfall amounts were variable, and higher than normal in some areas. Canby and Worthington reported 5.0 inches, Hinckley nearly 6 inches, Pipestone 8 inches, and Royalton 8.1 inches. Temperatures for October averaged 5 to 8 degrees F colder than normal, marking the month as the 3rd coldest October on a statewide basis. Temperature extremes were 87 degrees F at Waseca and Albert Lea on the 1st, to just 8 degrees F at Blackduck on the 13th and at Embarrass on the 16th. As a result of the cold October, the District Office of the Army Corps of Engineers put out a notice that the navigation season on the Upper Mississippi may end sooner than normal as a result of rapidly declining water temperatures. Mississippi River water temperatures are in just in the mid 40s F as we end October. Water temperatures in the mid 30s F can adversely affect navigation because of the risk of rapid ice formation when overnight temperatures plummet. Topic: Weather during November election week in Minnesota How many times have we heard the weather take the blame for an undesirable outcome......."housing starts were down this quarter due to bad weather in the east"......"food prices will be higher due to poor growing season weather"..."the space shuttle landing was postponed due to foul weather"...."construction costs were higher because of weather delays." But the one I can't stand is "voter turnout was low due to poor weather conditions." This is the case more often in other states rather than in Minnesota, where in relative voter turnout we nearly always look pretty good in national statistics. I see the estimate for nationwide voter turnout next week is just between 35-40 percent, while here in Minnesota it may be from 60 to 70 percent or higher! With the possible exception of parenting our children, what's more important than using our right to vote? Albeit if weather conditions are dangerous, such as a blizzard, then voters may be justified in staying home, but I can't buy uncomfortable or inclement weather as an excuse for not voting. Historically, election day has varied from the 2nd of November to the 8th of November. In Minnesota, high temperatures are typically in the 40s with lows in the 20s and 30s. There is frequently little or no precipitation, but there have been some notable exceptions of rather harsh weather in terms of both precipitation and temperature. 1901, 1910, 1911, 1933, 1936, 1951, 1959, and 1991 were all notable for being quite cold and/or snowy during election week. 1936 was the only case of a major national and local election in Minnesota taking place in the face of some pretty cold and icy weather. Heavy snows and glaze occurred in northern, western, and central counties during the first three days of November (up to 19 inches of snow) and near record setting cold temperatures accompanied the storms. Election morning (November 3rd) lows were in the single digits to teens. The streets and sidewalks were pretty icy from recent snows and the windchill index was well below zero all day and in the dangerous category (colder than -25) in some places (with winds of 15 to 25 mph). Yet, the voter turnout was over 1.1 million in Minnesota, probably over 70 percent of those eligible. Way to go Minnesota! Interestingly enough, we have had measurable snowfalls just preceding or on election day in 10 of the past 14 years, with the most pronounced being 1991, which was not only the snowiest but one of the coldest (3.5 inches of snowfall, temperatures in the 20s F and 23 inches of snow on the ground). 1951 was comparable with temperatures in the 20s F, and 3 inches of snow on the ground). The weather for next Tuesday's election looks to be colder than normal, with light winds, partly cloudy skies, and just a slight change for some light precipitation around our region. MPR listener question: We moved here from New York state last year and have just finished our first gardening season in the Twin Cities. The past week, we planted bulbs in very cold soil. What time of year does the soil normally freeze up around here? Answer: In the heat island of the Twin Cities metro area soils don't tyically freeze up until early December. However in more rural locations soils start to freeze typically around the third to fourth week of November. With the type of October climate we experienced, soil temperatures have rapidly fallen into the 30s F. It would not take very many cold nights (temperatures in the teens) to freeze them at least a few inches deep. Twin Cities Almanac for November 1st: The average MSP high temperature for today's date is 50 degrees F (plus or minus 11 degrees standard deviation), while the average low is 33 degrees F (plus or minus 9 degrees standard deviation). Local Records: MSP records for today's date include: highest daily maximum temperature of 77 degrees F in 1933; lowest daily maximum temperature of 25 degrees F in 1951; lowest daily minimum temperature of 10 degrees F in 1951; highest daily minimum temperature of 56 degrees F in 1938; record rainfall of 1.85 inches in 1991; and record snowfall of 18.5 inches in 1991 (Still the single day snowfall record for the Twin Cities). Maximum snow depth on this date has been 14 inches in 1991. There have been five measurable snowfalls since 1948. Average dew point on this date is 33 degrees, with a maximum of 58 degrees F in 1983 and a minimum of -4 degrees F in 1984. Scanning the state climatic data base: the all-time high for today's date is 84 degrees F at Winona in 1950;all-time low is -10 degrees F at Campbell (Wilkin County) in 1919. Word of the Week: SIMA Another acronym.....not one used by meteorologists, but one very related to the weather. This term stands for Snow and Ice Management Association. It is the professional association for those working in snow and ice management. They also publish the magazine Snow Business and offer educational material on snow and ice control, especially for property managers and snow plow operators. Their web site is http://www.sima.org Outlook..... Continued colder than normal, though not a extreme as it has been. Some sunshine over the weekend will help dry things out. There will be some moderation in temperature next week, with highs in the 30s and 40s F and more sun and wind. Generally, it will be a dry week. Overall it should be a good time to wrap-up farm and garden chores, and especially to rake those leaves. Towards next weekend, a strong storm system may develop.