National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

From June 1st through July 31st, the average dew points have been either at record or near record levels.  This is due to frequent rains, wet soils, and plants being well ahead of schedule in their life cycles.  It has been these dew points that have made many feel so uncomfortable this summer.  More details on how unusual the dew points have been at La Crosse, WI and Rochester, MN this summer can be found below.

La Crosse, WI...

...Highest Average Dew Point for June and July in La Crosse WI...

From June 1st through July 31st, the average dew point at La Crosse Municipal Airport was 63.1 degrees.  This was 3.4 degrees above the 1949-2010 average of 59.7 degrees, and the highest average ever recorded for this time period.  The previous record was 62.9 degrees back in 1978.  In contrast, the average dew point for this time period last year was 56.4 degrees which was the fourth driest.

The table below lists the ten highest average dew points for June and July in La Crosse WI...

       Highest Average Dew Points
            June 1 - July 31
            in La Crosse WI
               1949-2010

                Average
   Rank        Dew Point         Year
   ----        ---------         ----
     1        63.1 degrees       2010
     2        62.9 degrees       1978
     3        62.5 degrees       1981
     4        62.4 degrees       1999
     5        62.2 degrees       1987
     6        62.1 degrees       1949
     7        62.0 degrees       2002
              62.0 degrees       1995
              62.0 degrees       1991
    10        61.9 degrees       1980

Rochester, MN...

...Second Highest Average Dew Point for June and July in Rochester MN...

From June 1st through July 31st, the average dew point at Rochester International Airport was 62.1 degrees.  This was 3.7 degrees above the 1972-2010 average of 58.4 degrees, and the second highest average ever recorded for this time period.  The highest average dew point for this time period occurred back in 2002 when the average was 62.5 degrees.  In contrast, the average dew point for this time period last year was 54.9 degrees which was the third driest.

The table below lists the ten highest average dew points for June and July in Rochester MN...

       Highest Average Dew Points
            June 1 - July 31
            in Rochester MN
               1972-2010

                Average
   Rank        Dew Point         Year
   ----        ---------         ----
     1        62.5 degrees       2002
     2        62.1 degrees       2010
     3        61.7 degrees       1987
     4        61.3 degrees       1999
     5        61.2 degrees       2005
     6        60.9 degrees       1991
     7        60.8 degrees       1986
     8        60.6 degrees       1995
     9        60.3 degrees       1983
    10        59.7 degrees       1978