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Weather chats with Mark Seeley
Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

Minnesota State Fair sees unexpected heavy rain on first day

fair rides as the sun sets behind them
People ride the Defender on the Mighty Midway at sunset during the Minnesota State Fair Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
Nicole Neri for MPR News

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As the Minnesota State Fair opened, so did the clouds, bringing on a surprise downpour on top of attendees.

“I feel for the people that were at the fair,” said climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley.

Although Thursday’s showers were unexpected, Seeley said that climate stations across the state have recorded at least some rain on half of all of the days from April 1 to Aug. 22, making for a pretty consistently wet summer. Additionally, 97 percent of the state is reporting surplus precipitation.

“That is a huge footprint of surplus,” said Seeley.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Seeley about the unexpected weather and other state fair weather facts in weekly weather chat.

And make sure to stop by the MPR Booth on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 12 p.m.- 1 p.m., Seeley will be there with Cathy doing their annual weather quiz.