National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Duluth, MN
The Duluth Airport saw 19 days this month with measureable precipitation. This misses the record number of days, 21, set in October of 1995. The monthly total precipitation in Duluth was 4.60 inches, or 2.21 inches above normal. However, since January 1st, Duluth has received 25.06 inches of precipitation, almost 3 inches below normal. Last month also brought 3.7 inches of snowfall to Duluth, although the snow depth at the end of the month was zero. 

October closed out with a monthly average temperature of 39 degrees F, or 3.1 degress below the 30 year climate normal, at the Duluth Airport. This places 2009 as the 9th coldest October since records began in 1870. The record is held by 1917 when October came in with a monthly average temperature of 33.5 degrees. The highest temperature observed this month was 56 degrees. A monthly high value as low as 56 degrees has not been recorded in Duluth since 1917.

International Falls, MN
There were 18 days in October with measurable precipitation. This ties the existing record with 1949 and 1971. International Falls' monthly precipitation total was 3.24 inches, including 2.8 inches of snowfall. The 30 year climate normal precipitation for October is 1.98 inches. Since January 1st, International Falls has accumulated 22.72 inches of precipitation; 0.85 inches above normal.

The International Falls Airport saw a monthly average temperature of 37.7 degrees F in October; 4.1 degrees F below the 30 year climate normal.    

Brainerd, MN
October 2009 has gone down as the wettest October since records began in 1948. Brainerd received 7.27 inches of precipitation this October, almost tripling the 30 year climate normal of 2.51 inches. 

This month also brought a record setting 23 days of measurable precipitation. This is not only a record for October, but breaks the old record for number of days in any month, 20 set in June 2008. 

Solon Springs, WI
The official Cooperative Weather Observer at Solon Springs reported 18 days with measurable precipitation last month, the most for any October. 

The total precipitation for themonth was 5.87 inches, including 1.1 inches of snowfall. This is 3.32 inches above the monthly normal precipitation and places 2009 as the 5th wettest October since records began in 1906. 

Although October was a wet month for the Northland, many locations remain in drought status.