Minneapolis/St. Paul Climate Data

Fort Snelling Stereoview

Fort Snelling Climate Data

Fort Snelling was a military fortification established at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on a high bluff. Weather records began in October 1819. Instrumentation was rather crude to begin with. A traveling explorer noted that the thermometer was a glass tube attached to a brass plate where the gradation was marked. The chief medical officer of the post was in charge of taking the measurements. Depending on the workload, this duty may have been relegated to an orderly or surgeon. Some of the more interesting observations are comments made by the observer. Prairie fires were common and severe weather was noted. One of these reports includes Minnesota's first reported tornado.

Climate historian, Tom St. Martin, provided these data to the State Climatology office. We are grateful for his efforts.

Fort Snelling Annual Climate Summaries by Year

1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
 
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
 
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892

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