The summer of 2021 was warm and dry in the Northland.
–Duluth and Brainerd recorded their hottest summer on record (records for Duluth date back to 1874).
–International Falls tied for their hottest summer on record, while Ashland and Hibbing had a top 10 hottest summer on record.
–Rainfall totals for the summer of 2021 finished 4 to nearly 7 inches below normal.
–Thunderstorm days were few and far between in the Northland during the summer of 2021, with all 5 major climate stations reporting <20 thunderstorm days from June through August.
| Duluth, Minnesota Climate Summary for Summer 2021 6/1-8/31 Average temperature: 67.8 degrees Normal: 64.5 degrees Departure: +3.3 degrees above normal Highest temperature: 94 on June 4 and June 5 Lowest temperature: 40 on July 8 4 days with a high of at least 90 (normal is 2 days) Total precipitation: 6.98″ Normal: 12.04″ Departure: -5.06″ below normal 18 days with thunder Note: The summer of 2021 was the hottest summer on record in station history. The previous hottest summer on record was in 2012 with an average temperature of 67.4 degrees. |
| International Falls, Minnesota Climate Summary for Summer 2021 6/1-8/31 Average temperature: 67.0 degrees Normal: 62.8 degrees Departure: +4.2 degrees above normal Highest temperature: 98 on June 4 Lowest temperature: 35 on June 1 and June 22 17 days with a high of at least 90 (normal is 4) August 2021 had 8 days with a high of at least 90 which is the most number of 90 degree days ever recorded in the month of August. Previous most was 6 days set in August 1991. Total precipitation: 5.86″ Normal: 10.57″ Departure: -4.71″ below normal 19 days with thunder Note: Summer of 2021 tied with the summers of 1973 and 1921 for hottest summer on record in station history. |
| Hibbing, Minnesota Climate Summary for Summer of 2021 6-1/8-31 Average temperature: 64.6 degrees Normal: 61.4 degrees Departure: +3.2 degrees above normal Highest temperature: 95 on June 4 Lowest temperature: 34 on July 8 4 days with a high of at least 90 (normal is 2 days) Total precipitation: 4.85″ Normal: 11.30″ Departure: -6.45″ below normal 16 days with thunder Note: Summer of 2021 was the 7th hottest summer on record in station history. Hottest summer on record was in 1995 with an average temperature of 66.7 degrees. |
| Brainerd, Minnesota Climate Summary for Summer of 2021 6/1-8/31 Average temperature: 71.3 degrees Normal: 67.3 degrees Departure: +4.0 degrees above normal Warmest temperature: 100 on June 4 Lowest temperature: 40 on June 1 23 days with a high of at least 90 (normal is 6 days) Total precipitation: 7.25″ Normal: 11.44″ Departure: -4.19″ below normal 11 days with thunder Note: Summer of 2021 was the hottest summer on record in station history. The previous hottest summer occurred in 2020 with an average temperature of 71.1 degrees. |
| Ashland, Wisconsin Climate Summary for Summer of 2021 6/1-8/31 Average temperature: 66.4 degrees Normal: 64.3 degrees Departure: +2.1 degrees above normal Highest temperature: 94 on June 5 Lowest temperature: 36 on July 8 Total precipitation: 4.79″ Normal: 11.29″ Departure: -6.50″ below normal 15 days with thunder Note: Summer of 2021 was the 4th hottest summer on record in station history. The hottest summer on record occurred in 2012 with an average temperature of 67.2 degrees. |
66% of days in the summer of 2021 had an above average temperature (red) in Duluth, while only 26% of days were below average (blue). 8% of days in the summer of 2021 had an average temperature in Duluth.
Daily temperature data for Duluth, Minnesota (June 1-August 31, 2021)
Precipitation data for Duluth, Minnesota (June 1-August 31, 2021)
Total precip and percent of mean for the summer of 2021
Brainerd, MN: 7.25″ (63% of normal)
Duluth, MN: 6.98″ (58% of normal)
International Falls, MN: 5.86″ (55% of normal)
Hibbing, MN: 4.85″ (43% of normal)
Ashland, WI: 4.79″ (42% of normal)
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