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Preliminary Climate Summary for January of 2026

Preliminary Climate Summary for January of 2026: As mentioned last week, the temperature pattern in January was distinctly warmer than normal for the first half of the month, and colder than normal for the second half of the month. Most climate stations in Minnesota reported a mean monthly temperature that was 2°F to 5°F colder than normal. Extremes ranged from 53°F at Canby (Yellow Medicine County) and Marshall (Lyon County) on the 13th to -43°F at Brimson and Kabetogama (St Louis County) on the 24th. Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states 9 times during the month. Most areas of the state reported a slightly above normal number of nights with subzero temperatures. For example, MSP recorded 12 such nights (the 50 yr average is 10), while International Falls recorded 21 such nights (the 50 yr average is 19). Despite the cold second half of January, only a modest number of daily low minimum temperature records were set (perhaps 25) within the state climate...
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A warm, then bitter cold January:

A warm, then bitter cold January: It appears that January weather this year will be divided into a warm half and a cold half. The first half of the month (January 1-16) saw temperatures around the state average between 7°F and 11°F above normal, with many areas reporting some daytime highs in the 40s F and a few places reporting at least one daytime high temperature of 50°F or higher. Now the second half of January (January 17-31) will be quite the opposite, with temperatures likely averaging 9°F to 14°F below normal. In fact, some areas may see close to record cold temperatures and certainly dangerous Wind Chill conditions. Some communities may record the coldest January daytime maximum temperatures since the winter of 2019. BTW, Minnesota has reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states 5 times so far this month, most recently earlier this week on January 20th when it was -30°F at Indus (Koochiching County) a few miles west of International Falls. There will likely be...
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Comments on the first half of January 2026

Comments on the first half of January 2026: Weather for the first half of January 2026 has produced mostly warmer than normal temperatures across Minnesota. Most climate stations report a mean temperature for the first half of the month that is 6°F to 10°F above normal. A number of places earlier this week reported daytime high temperatures of 50°F or greater. Some of these climate stations were Canby, Windom, Worthington, Marshall, Madison, Pipestone, Lamberton, and Tracy, all areas of the state where snow cover is sparse on nonexistent. Over Tuesday through Thursday this week a few Minnesota climate stations reported new record daily high temperatures, including 53°F at Marshall, 46°F at Caledonia, and 42°F at Mora. BTW, it looks like starting Saturday, January 17 and lasting through at least January 22nd temperatures across the state will be below normal, with several nights of subzero temperature readings. Soils are frozen to a depth of 6 to 8 inches in many areas. Except for north...
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Very damp, icy start to January:

Very damp, icy start to January: Many climate observers have already reported precipitation of a half inch to one inch this month, and commonly monthly normal precipitation for January as a whole is half an inch to an inch. January snowfall so far has been less than 4 inches in most places. A few areas in the north like International Falls, Ely, Kabetogama, and Grand Marais have reported 6 to 8 inches of snow. More problematic for travel and for schools has been the icy conditions brought on by freezing rain and freezing fog. Many areas reported 2-3 days of such conditions this week as temperatures hovered 6°F either side of 32°F. There were a number of car accidents as well as pedestrian slips and falls. At least the howling winds of December have not recurred again this month. The Minnesota State Climatology Office provided details about the freezing rains over January 5-6 this week and how impactful it was. More thawing temperatures will occur Monday and Tuesday of next week, as da...
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Climate Summary for December of 2025

Climate Summary for December of 2025: The year 2025 concluded with a colder than normal December. Most climate observers reported a mean monthly temperature that was 2°F to 5°F cooler than normal. Temperature extremes for the month were 55°F at Brainerd on the 16th to -28°F at Itasca State Park on the 19th. There were numerous nights of subzero temperatures, mostly in central and northern counties, as well as several days with Wind Chill values from -25°F to -45°F. In fact, with all the subzero temperature readings, Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states on 10 days during the month. With a statewide average monthly temperature of 13.1°F, it was the coldest December since 2013. Precipitation was mixed during the month, with many climate stations reporting above normal values, and many reporting below normal values. The statewide average was about 1 inch, but a large number of climate stations reported over 1.50 inches of precipitation, and some reported o...
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