Mild December ends snowy; 2015 mostly normal

What a way to end 2015!
The heavy snows of November quickly melted away due to extremely warm temperatures in December — particularly in the first half of the month. 
Those living on gravel roads or having to travel on gravel roads may have decided the 4-wheel drive was necessary — not due to snow, but to mud. 
A December high temperature of 50, which is 20 degrees warmer than normal, was recorded on Dec. 10.
Overall, December average temperatures soared to almost 8 degrees above normal.  In particular, low temperatures were over 10 degrees above normal and near the average November lows.  
Twenty-two out of the 31 days of December had highs at or above freezing.  The temperatures were a bit cooler and closer to normal, although still pleasant, the latter half of the month.
The last week of the year is where the precipitation really started to take off with three separate systems producing a bulk of the near 17 inches of snow for the month.  The snowfalls double the average received for December.  They were also responsible for well over an inch of precipitation, securing an above-normal yearly precipitation total.
 
Review of 2015 weather shows mostly normal trends
The late night countdown parties have concluded, the Times Square Ball has dropped, and the college football bowl games are nearly complete, which all means it is once again time for the annual year-in-review. 
Honestly, 2015 was pretty unremarkable weather-wise, at least statistically. 
Temperatures were, indeed, warmer than normal, just over 2 degrees higher on average for the year. 
A majority of this came from the much warmer than normal and likely record-setting autumn temperatures. 
Apart from temperatures, precipitation was above normal as well, but not significantly so. 
Total precipitation amounted to just over 2 inches above average for the year. 
Also...total snowfall (for the calendar year) was unremarkable at just over an inch above normal. 
Finally, there were only a handful of hail and severe wind reports within the county for 2015. This coincides with a quieter severe weather year across most of the United States. 
Below are some 2015 weather-related statistics along with the temperature and precipitation data for each month of 2015.  Have a wonderful, safe and prosperous 2016.
 
A blog of daily summary and other interesting weather events for the Luverne area is at http://luvernemnweather.blogspot.com. Thone can be reached at tathone@gmail.com.