Minnesota WeatherTalk

 Climate Summary for February: Average monthly temperatures for February were cool, from 3°F to 5°F below normal in most areas of the state. About two-thirds of the days brought cooler than normal readings, and the number of subzero nights ranged from 11 in southern counties to as much as 20 nights in the north. Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the nation on six mornings this month. Temperatures ranged from -41°F at Ely on the 17th to 59°F at Fairmont on the 23rd and at Winnebago on the 24th. Many southern and western climate stations reported afternoon high temperatures in the 50s F during the last week of the month. Milan (Chippewa County) reported a new record daily high temperature of 55°F on the 23rd and Hastings Dam (Dakota County) reported a new record daily high temperature of 51°F on the 25th. In contrast, earlier in the month when subzero temperatures prevailed 50 Minnesota climate stations reported setting new daily low minimum temperature records. In terms ...

Final Days of February Cold Wave: As we face the final days of this somewhat long winter Cold Wave in Minnesota, I was inspired to see these words from the writer Victor Hugo: "laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." Wind Chill values ranged from -35°F to -48°F this week as the National Weather Service had to issue many Cold Weather Advisories and Extreme Cold Warnings. A number of school districts called off school or started late as a result of the cold weather this week. Most places in the state have recorded average temperatures so far this month that are 8°F to 12°F colder than normal, with a majority of nights bringing subzero temperatures. Eighteen of the first twenty days of the month have brought subzero low temperatures to International Falls. Within the state climate station network, over 20 new record daily low temperatures have been set, including -37° F at Brimson on February 12th, -41°F at Ely on February 17, and -31°F at Brainerd on ...

Cold Prevails: The persistent cold of February is not without precedent. About one year in four February delivers more subzero nights than January. This may be one of those years. Historically the Twin Cities records an average of 11 subzero nights in January and 8 subzero nights in February. This year, January brought 12 subzero nights, and if forecasts hold up, February will bring 12 subzero nights as well. Similarly, the climate history at International Falls shows an average of 15 subzero nights in January and 11 subzero nights in February. This year January brought 19 subzero nights, and if forecasts hold up, February will bring 19 subzero nights as well. In the National Weather Service daily headlines for this February, Minnesota has reported the coldest temperature in the nation three times so far, most recently with -40°F at Cook (St Louis County) on February 13th. Temperatures so far this month are averaging from 4°F to 8°F below normal around the state. Though some no...

Persistent cold expected for northern MN this month: Many Minnesota citizens may have already noticed the temperature disparity between northern Minnesota climate stations and southern Minnesota climate stations so far this month magnified by the presence of more abundant snow cover in northern landscapes. Many parts of northern Minnesota started the month with 12 to 15 inches of snow cover. Several northern climate stations have reported morning lows ranging from -20°F to -26°F so far this month, and two of these stations, Forest Center (near Isabella) and Crane Lake have reported the nation’s coldest temperature on February 1st and 4th, respectively. Over the same period of time Winnebago (Faribault County) and Rushford (Fillmore County) where snow cover is zero, were reporting daytime high temperatures in the upper 40s F. With additional snow expected this weekend to blanket most much of the landscape, persistent northwest flow and strong cold air advection will keep overnight lo...