Was May 2023 abnormally hot in Minnesota?
By Jayne Williamson-Lee
View this fact brief on MinnPost
Copy link
Copy featured image
YES
It was the sixth hottest May on record in the state of Minnesota based on data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, climatologist Pete Boulay of the Minnesota State Climatology Office told MinnPost via email.
Boulay said volunteer weather stations that measure temperature and precipitation across the state are used to arrive at a statewide average. The statewide average temperature reported for May 2023 was 59.3 degrees, which is 4.5 degrees above normal.
For the Twin Cities, it was also the sixth warmest on record with an average temperature of 64.2 degrees, “or 4.7 degrees above normal,” Boulay noted.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
State of Minnesota May weather records for the Twin Cities
Google Docs Minnesota May temperature ranking by year
Midwestern Regional Climate Center Midwest Climate Watch
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
MinnPost is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces thoughtful, in-depth journalism about civic and cultural affairs impacting Minnesota. Through our reporting, we take readers beyond the headlines and deep into the issues that matter through our public-service journalism, empowering them to engage in the politics and policy-making shaping Minnesota’s future.
