A normal weather pattern may be setting in for June

May's weather was full of cold mayhem around here this year. The snowstorm that brought close to a foot of snow to some towns on May 19th was the latest measurable snow in recorded history at least for the Duluth area. (I still remember flurries in Ely on July 4, 1977.)

The final climate data from the National Weather Service in Duluth shows the May departure from normal mean temperature was -2.1 degrees. So far, 2019 has ranged from as cold as -4.5 degrees from normal in February to as warm as +0.6 degree in April. Year-to-date departure from normal mean temperature is -1.9 degrees.

May wasn't so chilly to our south, though. Frequent tornadoes became a reality from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania. According to my colleague, meteorologist Adam Lorch, tornado activity had been way down for a few years but this year, the fetch of the upper-level prevailing westerlies and the low-level southerlies have been in the right positions for twister making. Along with the wind shear created by two different directions of wind at two different levels, tornadoes need heat. They've had that down south but not up here.

Any chance for milder weather coming our way in June? Well, yes and no. We are expected to be normal for temperatures so at least we won't lose any more ground. Rainfall could come up normal as well.

Through the 10th, the trend is for rainy and cool weather. The 11th to 21st should be sunny and warm and the 22nd to 27th should be mild with scattered thunderstorms. The last three days of June should be summery and hot.

Other warm periods should hit by late July and early to mid-August. To some, hot weather is a blessing. For others, it is a curse. Best wishes to you this summer no matter which way the thermometer flows.