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January Climate Summary

January Climate Summary: Despite wide swings in daily temperatures during the month, the average monthly temperature for January of 2025 will be near normal for most locations in the state, while nearly all parts of Minnesota recorded a drier than normal January. Average monthly temperature for most climate stations was close to normal, with some reporting 1-2°F colder than normal and some reporting 1-2°F warmer than normal. There were roughly equal numbers of cooler and warmer than normal days during the month. The state extremes were 58°F at Fairmont (Martin County) on the 30th and a minimum of -42°F at Kabetogama (St Louis County) on the 20th. Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the nation 3 times during the month. The rollercoaster journey of temperatures during the month brought some record cold over January 18-21, and some record warmth on January 28th and January 30th. On January 20th, International Falls and Park Rapids both recorded new record cold daily high te...
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Though Challenging, It Was Not a Historic January Cold Period

Though Challenging, It Was Not a Historic January Cold Period: January 18-21 of this past week certainly qualified as a Cold Wave, as statewide average temperatures ranged from -2°F to -13°F across the state. That is about 16°F to 20°F below normal for this time of year. Of further note, Wind Chill conditions ranged from -35°F to -55°F across much of the state on both January 20 and January 21 making it risky to be outside for more than 10-15 minutes. The Cold Wave did not bring any new record minimum temperatures to Minnesota, but it did bring some record cold daily maximum temperatures to several climate stations on the 19th and 20th.. Some of these included: Preston and Winona Dam -4°F Red Wing Dam -6°F Hibbing -10°F Collegeville, Litchfield, Elk River, Madison, and Brimson -11°F Brainerd, Floodwood, and Cloquet -12°F Gunflint Lake -13°F Thorhult, Leech Lake, and Wheaton -15°F Pokegama Dam and Tower -16°F Park Rapids, Cass Lake, and International Falls -18°F Red Lake Falls -20°F ...
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Typical cold, dry winter air:

Typical cold, dry winter air: Since last Friday (January 10), some of the coldest air of the winter has gripped portions of Minnesota, bringing low temperatures of -20°F or colder to many northern areas of the state. It was -25°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on January 15th. Of further note, forecast models suggest perhaps the coldest air of the winter will grip the state of Minnesota over the coming Saturday through Tuesday period, with some days never seeing the temperature reach zero. The polar air that descended upon us earlier this week was very dry, with dew points well below zero (-10 to -25°F). The drying effect of this air is greatly amplified when it is drawn inside buildings and then heated up to 68 degrees F, a typical indoor thermostat setting. For example, if you compute the partial pressure of water vapor (essentially the number of water vapor molecules) in outside air with a dew point temperature of -10 degrees F (like we had in the Twin Cities on Monday of this week...
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Dry start to January with fluctuating temperatures

Dry start to January with fluctuating temperatures: Most of the major storm systems so far this year have been south of Minnesota. Consequently, there has been little precipitation measured through the first 9 days of January. Most climate stations report no precipitation at all, but a few northern stations have reported a half inch to an inch of snow. The latest map from the DNR-State Climatology Office shows that about 70 percent of the state measures a snow depth of 1 inch or less as of Thursday, January 9th. Total seasonal snowfall accumulations are really lagging behind normal, as many areas of the state have reported less than 10 inches since November 1st . Only portions of northeastern Minnesota have reported total seasonal snowfall of 20 inches or greater, but that is still below normal for this time of winter. There is a chance for some snow this weekend, but not in abundant amounts, and certainly not in the quantity of the famous historic blizzard that occurred 50 years...
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Coldest and warmest years in Minnesota separated by 150 years

Coldest and warmest years in Minnesota separated by 150 years: Preliminary climate data indicate that 2024 was the warmest year in Minnesota history on a statewide basis, with all 12 months being warmer than normal. This should not be surprising, as last winter was the warmest in Minnesota history as well. In the Twin Cities it appears that 2024 tied with 1931 as the warmest year in history, despite the months of June, July, and August being slightly cooler than normal. The 2024 climate data for other Minnesota cities shows that Duluth reported its warmest year in history, International Falls its 2nd warmest year, and Rochester its 3rd warmest year. In juxtaposition to these climate statistics, I would like to point out that 150 years ago the winter of 1874-1875 was the coldest in Minnesota history, and this week 150 years ago began the coldest year in state history (1875). Winter of 1874-1875 was historic for both persistent cold and record-setting low temperatures. Some of th...
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