Discover the Rainiest Place in Minnesota

Have you ever wondered what the rainiest place is in Minnesota? Well, it’s Spring Grove!

Spring Grove is a small city on the banks of the Cedar River in southern Minnesota with a population of around 1,400 people. Spring Grove is known for its lush green hills and valleys, as well as its vibrant and diverse art scene. Numerous parks, trails, lakes, and rivers nearby offer plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. The city also hosts several annual events, including a Harvest Festival every September. With all this to do and see, it’s no wonder why so many people choose to call Spring Grove home!

History of Spring Grove, the Rainiest Place in Minnesota

Spring Grove, Minnesota, is located in Houston County and was founded in 1855, when the first post office was officially operating. The first families to settle in the area were two brothers from Norway who had been living in Wisconsin for several years. They purchased land that had originally been part of a larger tract owned by the United States government and began farming it. About 20 more families followed soon after, with most coming from Germany, Sweden, and Norway and settling within a few miles of each other.

By 1870, Spring Grove had grown to include over 800 people as well as a variety of businesses such as general stores, blacksmiths, hotels, and saloons. In 1895 the population peaked at 1,124 residents before declining due to out-migration caused by better job prospects elsewhere or changes in agricultural practices, which made farming less profitable. Today there are just over 1,250 people living in Spring Grove. Thetown retains many aspects of its original identity, such as its strong Norwegian heritage celebrated through annual events like the Syttende Mai Parade & Festival on May 17th each year.

Average Precipitation

Spring Grove is the rainiest place in Minnesota, ranking #1 in the state with an average annual rainfall of 35.44 inches per year. 

The average precipitation in Spring Grove, MN, is 35.44 inches per year. The rest of Minnesota averages 28.61 inches per year. The United States as a whole averages 38.67 inches per year.

Spring Grove averages 40.35 inches of snow eyearly while the rest of the state haverages43.43 inches annually. The U.S. snowfall average is 23.27 inches.

Humidity levels in Spring Grove are 80.40 percent. The state of Minnesota has an average humidity level of 80.61, and the U.S. has an average annual humidity of 77.52 percent.

Extreme Weather Events

Between 1950 and 2010, 3,220 extreme weather events were recorded within 50 miles of Spring Grove, Minnesota. These include:

• 45 heat waves
• 173 winter storms
• 6 wildfires
• 20 ice storms
• 1,132 hail storms
• 90 cold snaps
• 297 floods
• 22 blizzards
• 1,217 thunderstorms
• 13 droughts
• 81 heavy snowfalls
• 79 strong winds
• 47 polar winter weather

In addition to the above list, on May 5th, 1965, a Tornado touched down in Houston County. The tornado was 18 miles long and 100 yards wide. It caused 2.5 million dollars in property damage. Thankfully there were zero fatalities or injuries. There were 51 other tornadoes in surrounding counties in Minnesota between 1950-2010.

Population

In 2010-2014, the population of Spring Grove was 1,262, which was 3.22% less than in 2000. The rpopulation growth ratewas much lower than bhe state and national average. The population density of Spring Grove is 1,321.77 people per square mile, which is much higher than other areas in the state and nation. White people make up 98.89% of the population, and the educational level is below both the state and national averages. The average household per household is $35,451 as of 2014.

The crime index of Spring Grove is much less than the average for the state and the average for the U.S. For example, in Minnesota, there are an average of 102.2 burglaries per 100,000 people, but in Spring Grove, the average is only 67.6. The total crime index per 100,000 people in Minnesota is 1,090. The average in the U.S. is 1,423. Crime rates in Spring Grove have improved drastically from 2005 to 2014.

Wildlife of the Rainiest Place in Minnesota

Minnesota is rich with abundant wildlife. Here are a few of our favorites

Mammals

Houston County, Minnesota, is home to a variety of wild mammals, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, beavers, and muskrats. Visitors may also spot red foxes, raccoons, opossums, and skunks in the area. In addition to these land animals, Houston County is home to several species of bats as well as river otters that reside near streams and rivers. Those looking for small game will find squirrels throughout the forested areas, while those exploring wetlands can observe muskrats or mink scurrying along shorelines. Common species to spot in Spring Grove are American red squirrels, Eastern chipmunks, fox squirrels, Virginia opossums, groundhogs, and Eastern cottontail rabbits.

Minnesota is home to a wide variety of mammals, including the muskrat, American mink, bobcat, fisher, American badger, coyote, red fox, gray fox, and long-tailed weasel. Additionally, you may even come across a striped skunk in Minnesota too! All these animals live in different habitats ranging from forests and wetlands to grasslands and urban areas. Many species have adapted to living near humans and can often be seen foraging near roads or homes. It’s important that when observing any wildlife, it is done so with care and respect. Never attempt to physically interact with any animal or try to approach it too closely!

Reptiles and Amphibians

Houston County, Minnesota, is known for being one of the rainiest places in the state. This makes it an ideal environment for many types of reptiles and amphibians to thrive. Some of the species you can expect to see here include American toads, Pickerel frogs, green frogs, Eastern newts, wood frogs, and spring peepers. All these species are considered common throughout Houston County and provide a unique opportunity for people interested in exploring reptiles and amphibian life in this area. Additionally, if you look closely enough while out exploring Houston County’s forests or wetlands, you may even spot some rarer species, such as Ornate Chorus Frogs or Midland Painted Turtles!

When hiking, watch out for timber rattlesnakes and the Eastern Massasauga, which are venomous. Otherwise, you can try to attract snakes, like common garter snakes, into your garden to help keep the insect population in check. They are wonderful garden helpers.

Birds

Houston County in Minnesota is known for its wet and humid climate, making it the rainiest place in the state. This atmosphere creates an ideal environment for many types of birds to live in. Commonly seen species include waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans. There are many lovely songbirds like robins, cardinals, bluejays, and woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for the large birds, like hawks, herons, and other raptors, that take advantage of the plentiful food sources. When you are near the water, you can watch for shorebirds, such as sandpipers and plovers, that frequent nearby lakeshores. If you are up on a summer night, listen to the owls that hunt in the thick forests at night. The highly intelligent crows can be found throughout Houston County year-round. With so much variety available, it’s no wonder Houston County is a great destination for bird watching!

Fish

Houston County, Minnesota, is home to a variety of fish species, such as largemouth bass, brown trout, mud darters, mooneyes, green sunfish, and brook silverside fish. Anglers can also expect to find rainbow trout and brook trout in the area’s lakes and streams. Houston County is particularly well-known for its excellent walleye fishing opportunities. With its abundance of wetlands due to its high precipitation rate, the county provides a perfect habitat for game fish like walleye. In addition to these popular game fish species, anglers may be able to catch some varieties like pirate perch or shovelnose sturgeon during their time fishing in Houston County, Minnesota.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com

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