1. After the Storm Peter J. Boulay State Climatology Office DNR- Ecological and Water Resources Grand Marais Flooding- June 2008 (Courtesy Cook County News-Herald)

2. What happens to precipitation (records)? • MNgage (Minnesota-area Volunteer Climate Observing Program) • Statewide density is about one gauge for every 72 square miles (NWS is 625 square miles) Cook County is 134 sq/mi • Statewide there are 1,411 observers • 25 in Cook County (21 in SWCD) 4 SWCD volunteers in 1990.

3. MNgage is a “Network of Networks” • SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation Districts) • National Weather Service Cooperative Observers • “Backyard” Metropolitan Observers • Metropolitan Mosquito Control District • Department of Natural Resources Forestry • Other Networks (FFA, Deep Portage,Sewer)

4. Average spacing of NWS stations is 30 miles by design.

5. Design spacing for SWCD gages is ‘every other township’ (12 miles) or better.

7. History of MNgage The early organizers of the network attracted media attention using oversized rain gauges.

8. Data Gathering Methods and Retrieval • Interested individuals and agencies • Rain gauges and forms • On-line data entry and retrieval • Annual feedback letter • Annual quality control Employee of the Month

9. A Successful Network Interested individuals and agencies

10. Equipment Most observers use 4-inch plastic gauges

11. Equipment Observer form

12. Data entry Precipitation data is entered on-line

13. State Climatology Office web site:climate.umn.edu See all your data back in time…

14. Annual Quality Control

15. Benefits and uses • Storm water runoff • In depth climate investigations • Flash flood climatology • Annual and special summaries

16. Federal/state/local agencies Wetland delineators Lawyers Media Schools Engineering firms Weather hobbyists Consulting firms Farmers Insurance agencies General public Red Cross Construction companies Data is used by a wide range of clients

17. In Depth Climate Investigations This map shows the amount of precipitation in 2013.

18. Departure From Normal 2013 Cook County was near normal to 6 inches above normal for the year

19. Precipitation Rank in 2013 Southern Cook County was in the 95th percentile for precipitation for 2013.

20. North Shore Storm of July 18th, 2013 Highway 61 was closed for a time south of Grand Marias.

21. North Shore Storm of July 18th, 2013 Parts of Cook County received a month’s worth of rainfall in one day.

22. North Shore Storm of July 18th, 2013 I took this moment to drive from Grand Marais to Lutsen. (courtesy Cook County News Herald)

23. Climate Change

24. Climate Change In 5 minutes or less…

25. Climate Change: Northeast MN Winter Temperature Increase of four Degrees per Century. (courtesy climate at a glance: NCDC)

26. Climate Change: Northeast MN 3rd coldest Winter in 120 Years! Winter Temperature Increase of four Degrees per Century. (courtesy climate at a glance: NCDC)

27. “Local” Climate Change Grand Marais 1894 (courtesy Minnesota Historical Society)

28. “Local” Climate Change Grand Marais 1915 (courtesy Minnesota State Climate Office)

29. Anything Different? Grand Marias Today (courtesy US Army Corps)

30. More Changes Downtown Grand Marias 2002 (courtesy U of M )

31. Persistent trough pattern keeping MN cool

32. What about the future?

33. What about the future?

34. What about the future?

35. What about the future?

36. Next Winter Temperature?

37. Next Winter Precipitation?

38. Any Questions?