Weather data for these pages is collected at the Swan Lake Research Farm, which is located in the North West corner of Section 35, Swan Lake Township, Stevens County (Approximately 6 miles north and 4 miles east of Morris, MN).  Terms used are defined below.

Terms used:

Air Temperature

The maximum and minimum air temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit from a shielded thermistor placed 6.56 feet above the ground.

Growing Degree Days

Accumulated degree days above a specified temperature (40, 50, or 50/86). All Growing Degree Days (GDD) are calculated using the formula: {(Tmax + Tmin)/2} - B = Growing Degree Days (GDD) where B represents a base temperature value of 40 or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For the base 50/86 method, the following adjustments are made: 1) temperatures below 50 degrees F are set at 50 degrees F, and 2) temperatures above 86 degrees F are set at 86 degrees F. The starting date for the GDD calculation is when farmers generally start planting in our area.

Precipitation

Total precipitation in inches measured with a tipping bucket rain gauge.

Relative Humidity

The maximum and minimum relative humidity in percent (%).

Soil Temperatures

Maximum and minimum soil temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit from type T thermocouple under bare soil.

Solar Radiation

Average radiation measured three meters above ground, kilowatt hour per meter squared. Multiply by 24 hours to calculate daily total. The Solar Radiation sensor is often covered with snow during the winter months, so the value may be incorrect during those times.

Wind Speed

Average wind speed at two meter height in meters/second. To get total daily wind speed, multiply by 24 (hours). To convert to miles/hour, multiply by 2.2.