Last week’s weather was one for the record books.
With the exception of March 12, every day last week broke a warm-weather record as a March heat wave settled in around Borderland, and much of the state.
As the Icebox of the Nation, Borderland rarely sees recognition for anything but its bitter cold temperatures. But last week’s warmth put International Falls in the national news for its record-breaking week.
Steve Gohde, observing program leader for the National Weather Service in Duluth, told The Journal last week to watch the NWS office for record-breaking weather events, and his predictions were right.
A record ßhigh of 55 degrees was set March 13, breaking the old record of 54 degrees set in 1995; March 14’s high of 57 degrees outdid 2010’s record of 54 degrees; the high of 57 degrees March 15 tied with the record set in 2009; March 16’s previous record of 58 degrees set in 2009 didn’t stand a chance to the day’s high of 71 degrees; Saturday saw a high of 77 degrees and broke the existing record of 55 degrees set in 1963; and Sunday reached a high of 78 degrees to break the record of 60 degrees set in 1918. Sunday’s record also broke the March monthly record of 73 degrees set in 1963.
According to the HAMweather website, 1,192 record daytime highs were set in the U.S. from March 12-18, along with 708 high minimum temperature records. This compares to just 66 coldest maximum temperature records, and only eight records for the coldest overnight low temperature.
Tuesday may have been the official first day of spring, but thermometer readings last weekend suggested the area jumped from winter right into summer, and several area residents celebrated the early onset of the season.
Rick Gordon reported on The Journal’s Facebook page that his daughter is already using her outdoor pool. And Kirby Wilcox posted that he put almost 80 miles on the motorcycle Sunday afternoon.
Mark Seeley, professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, told The Journal Tuesday that as weather calculations for the month of March continue, every part of the state could record its warmest March on record if forecasts hold true.
“And that,” he said, “only happens about once in a lifetime.”
