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 temperatures of -18°F, while on the 21st Red Lake Falls reported a new record cold high temperature of -20°F.

A week later on January 28th MSP reported a record-tying daily warm maximum temperature of 47°F and Rochester and Redwood Falls a new daily record high maximum of 51°F. Also that day, Windom reported a record high of 54°F and even up north Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) reported a record high of 47°F. The last week of the month was topped off with new record daily high temperatures on January 30th set all over the state. Some of these included 52°F at MSP, 55°F at Rochester, 57°F at Austin, Worthington, and Albert Lea, and 58°F at Fairmont (Martin County). The reading at Fairmont was a new all-time statewide record high temperature for the date.

Nearly all areas of the state reported below normal precipitation during January. There were a few exceptions in northern counties, as Ely, Baudette, Wolf Ridge ELC, Lutsen, Cook, and Brimson reported slightly above normal precipitation. Many areas reported less than a quarter of an inch (0.25”). Some areas reported their driest January in history with just Trace amounts or amounts less than .04 inches. Some of these places included Windom, Austin, and Wells. Overall, the statewide average precipitation value was 0.27 inches, marking the 6th driest January in history back to 1895.

Similarly, snowfall was below normal in most all areas of the state during January. Most observers reported 5 inches or less. The most snowfall occurred in the far northern counties from Bemidji, through Ely, and over to Grand Marais, where many observers reported from 12 inches to 16 inches of snowfall. According to the DNR State Climatology Office by month’s end, about two-thirds of the state landscape reported no snow cover or less than 2 inches. Only the far northern counties reported snow depths of 8 inches or greater.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

The BBC reports that flooding is widespread across western France, especially the Brittany Region where up to 8 inches of rain was recorded earlier this month. Many roads and highways have flooded and rivers have exceeded their banks. The rains are expected to abate after this weekend.

The Weather Underground has featured over the last week an analysis of the “winter misery index” which considers the attributes of the frequency and amount of snow, the intensity and persistence of cold, and the amount and persistence of snow cover. From a national perspective their analysis shows that “the country seems flip-flopped by what you would imagine…..with the northern tier of the country experiencing only “mild” misery while much of the South and Ohio Valley is “extremely” miserable. Much of Minnesota is only “Mild” to “Moderate” in the Winter Misery Index, so far.

MPR listener question:

How is the Minnesota maple syrup harvest coming? Is the weather this year favorable for maple syrup harvesting? It is a nice product for Minnesota to enjoy.

Answer:

I spoke with a few professionals about this (such as Steve Anderson in Cumberland, WI) and the widely fluctuating temperatures over the last month combined with the recent record-setting warmth have likely promoted some sap movement within the maple trees but most have not been tapped yet. Part of the reason for this is that if the trees are tapped too soon, the sap flow will only come from the tree itself and bacteria will make a home in the tap hole and cause the tree to heal itself over time and stop the flow. The roots of the maple trees are still imbedded in soils that are frozen from 18 to 25 inches down. This condition does not allow the roots to help promote the sap flow more continuously like they do when they are in wet, but thawed soil later in the winter or early spring. More continuous and longer lasting sap flow is more probable if the trees are left untapped until later in February. Because of the surplus precipitation across the region in November and December, the soils may be wet enough in late February and early March to promote a good run of sap flow as temperatures warm up more consistently above 50°F during the day.

Twin Cities Almanac for January 31st:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 24 degrees F (plus or minus 13 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 9 degrees F (plus or minus 14 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for January 31st:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 55 degrees F in 2024; lowest daily maximum temperature of -9 degrees F in 1887; lowest daily minimum temperature of -27 degrees F in 1887; highest daily minimum temperature of 34 degrees F in 1993, and record precipitation of 1.16 inches in 1881. Record snowfall is 6.2 inches in 1908.

Average dew point for January 31st is 4°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 43°F in 1965 and the minimum dew point on this date is -34 degrees F in 1967.

All-time state records for January 31st:

The state record high temperature for this date is 60 degrees F at Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine County) and Marshall (Lyon County) in 2024. The state record low temperature for this date is minus 55 degrees F at Embarrass (St Louis County) in 1996. The state record precipitation for this date is 1.40 inches at St Peter (Nicollet County) in 1917. The statewide snowfall record for this date is 14.0 inches at St Peter (Nicollett County) in 1917.

Past Weather:

A major winter storm brought heavy snow to many parts of southern Minnesota over January 30-31 of 1917. Many areas reported 12 to 16 inches of snow. This storm concluded a very snowy month of January in 1917 when many observers reported over 30 inches. Tracy (Lyon County) reported 41 inches that month.

Arctic air gripped the state on January 31 of 1996 as most climate stations reported record cold low temperatures. Tower and Embarrass were both -55°F and most other areas of the state were between -20°F and -40°F. The daytime high temperature at Fosston (Polk County) only reached -23°F.

January 31 of 2024 was arguably the warmest in state history, with over 40 climate stations reporting new record daily maximum temperatures. Many areas saw afternoon highs of 50°F or greater and some golf courses were open.

Outlook:

It will become quite breezy over the weekend and temperatures will fall back closer to normal. There will be chances for snow in the north, and perhaps rain/snow mix in the south later on Saturday. More chances for snow starting on Sunday night and persisting throughout much of next week as daily temperatures hover around normal or a little cooler than normal. Some areas will see accumulating snow depths by the end of the week.