Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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Last year brought the most active severe weather season on record through mid-June. The Twin Cities National Weather Service office issued a record 426 severe thunderstorm warnings through June 20, 2022. 

Fast forward to this year. As of June 20, the Twin Cities NWS has issued just 40 severe thunderstorm warnings. That’s about one-tenth as many. It’s also the fourth lowest total going back to 1986. 

The same trends apply to tornado warnings. Last year the Twin Cities NWS had issued 82 tornado warnings as of June 20. This year it’s issued just four tornado warnings. 

The reasons for fewer storm warnings are pretty obvious. Minnesota has been under a persistent ridge of high pressure for the past several weeks. High pressure aloft means sinking air, fewer clouds, and very few storms. 

It’s also the primary driver of Minnesota’s rapid descent into a drought again this year. 

 update to show drought expanding and deepening in Minnesota again this week.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Drought year producing fewer severe storm warnings. 

Twin Cities NWS via Iowa Emergency Management.

Tornado warnings by Twin Cities NWS office

Unusually slow severe weather season in Minnesota

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