Unpacking NOAA’s ‘Above Average’ November Forecast for Minnesota

Meteorologists described October in Minnesota as a ‘roller coaster’ because temperatures fluctuated between the low 60s and low 80s. I enjoyed the warmer weather, and I’m not looking forward to winter coming soon. Many parts of the state experienced some winter-like weather on Halloween, with cold winds and even a few snow flurries.

We might be done with those drastic temperature ups and downs as we head into November. NOAA has just released its 30-day forecast for Minnesota. Read what we can expect below.

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Will La Niña Affect Minnesota’s Winter Weather?

La Niña is the opposite of El Niño, which brought warmer temperatures and little snow last winter. The NWS explains: La Niña happens when ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific cool down, which can affect weather patterns all over the world, including here in Minnesota.

Typically, La Niña results in colder and wetter winters, but the Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests this year might be different, predicting a ‘calmer, gentler’ winter for the upper Midwest.

Winter officially starts on December 21st, so let’s focus on November first.

NOAA's November Forecast For Minnesota

This month is usually the grayest in Minnesota, with lots of cloudy days. Temperatures also drop quickly; for example, in Minneapolis, the average high is 50°F at the start of the month and falls to 35°F by the end, but NOAA is predicting that this November may be warmer than usual.

Their forecast shows that many areas in the state could experience above-average temperatures.

As for precipitation, the forecast indicates that much of the state is also expected to see above-average amounts, but whether that will be rain or snow is still to be determined.