Hello, readers — James Larson here with a view from Stillwater on how our weather & environment are changing, and what it means for everyday life.
Climate at a Glance: What’s Normal Around Here
Stillwater’s air is seasonal in the truest sense. Our average highs reach around the upper 70s °F during peak summer months, while winters bring average lows down to about 5 °F in January. Annual precipitation runs roughly thirty-three inches a year, with June typically being our wettest month. These normals, drawn from NOAA and other long-term records (roughly 1991-2020), give us a dependable baseline.
Seasonal Transitions: More than Just Changes in Temperature
Spring means mud, runoff, and often unpredictable swings in weather—as snow gives way to rain and the ground thaws. Summer brings warmth, thunderstorms, and lush vegetation. Fall delivers crisp air and colorful foliage, and winter locks in deep cold, snow, and often overnight lows that dip bitterly below freezing.
Ongoing Trends: What’s Shifting
Climate trends across Minnesota—and locally—point to several shifts already in motion:
- Warmer winters and nights. In recent decades, the sharpest warming has happened during the coldest times: overnight lows and winter months. Snowpack and prolonged cold are less reliable year-to-year.
- More intense precipitation events. Heavier storms and extreme rainfall are becoming more frequent. When June rains come, they can bring flash flooding and runoff challenges.
- Water temperature and snow patterns shifting. Less snow and more winter precipitation falling as rain. Warming streams and lakes play into these changes.
Water Quality: Risks, Progress, and Local Impacts
Water lies at the heart of Stillwater’s identity—whether in the St. Croix, the Mississippi, or our lakes. But we face ongoing challenges:
- Pollutant sources and runoff. Agricultural runoff, urban runoff, fertilizers, and road-salt are among the main contributors to nutrient and chemical loads in our waterways. PFAS contamination remains a concern, especially in closed landfill sites.
- Pesticides and nitrate levels. Monitoring has found elevated readings of herbicides, insecticides, and nitrates in rivers and streams. These can impact aquatic life and safety of water for recreation and drinking.
- Watershed and landscape pressures. Loss of wetlands, altered stream channels, increased impervious surfaces—these amplify pollutant flow and reduce natural filtering capacity. Protecting natural riparian buffers and wetland restoration are among the most effective tools.
On the bright side, there are improvements: some rivers show stabilizing phosphorus levels and rising clarity in lake waters, thanks to long-term work by volunteers, regulators, and restoration projects.
What Neighbors Can Do: Practical Steps
Here’s a look at things Stillwater residents, landowners, and local leaders can consider to keep our weather-environment balance healthier:
- Install and maintain rain gardens, buffer strips, and native vegetation along shores.
- Reduce fertilizer and pesticide use; follow best practices for application timing and buffering runoff.
- Support policies or programs that fund wetland restoration or improve stormwater infrastructure.
- Watch for signs of water stress—drought, dirty or off-smelling water, algal blooms—and report them to local agencies.
- Stay weather aware: heavier precipitation and sudden storms could increase flood risk; monitor forecasts and community alerts.
Looking Forward
The deep structures of our climate—temperature norms, snow patterns, precipitation intensity—are shifting. For Stillwater, that means more rain-driven flow during warm seasons; milder winters, but perhaps more freeze-thaw cycles; and an expanding role for water management and environmental stewardship.
Protecting our rivers, lakes, and groundwater won’t just safeguard scenery and recreation—it’s about public health, local ecology, and our ability to thrive through changing weather. It may feel gradual, but every change in our habits and land stewardship adds up.