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-central and northeastern counties where 7 to 12 inches of snow has fallen, most of the state has reported little snowfall this month. There are many areas, especially along the western edge of the state that have reported little or no snowfall so far this month. The second half of the month looks to be snowier than the first half.

Winds were strong the second week of January. Some areas of the state have reported wind gusts of 30 mph or greater on 5 to 7 days. Overnight winds during January 13-14 were especially strong and persistent. Some examples of wind gusts that night are:

40 mph at Morris
41 mph at St James
43 mph at Tracy, Waseca, and Cloquet
44 mph at Jackson and the Twin Cities
46 mph at Grand Marais
49 mph at Preston
50 mph at Rochester

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

YouTube featured video of the flash flooding in Victoria, Australia on January 15th this week. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, some areas of eastern Victoria received up to 6 or 7 inches of rainfall in a short period of time, causing rivers to rise well above flood stage. Many cars and vehicles were seen to be washed away. Areas of the Great Ocean road in scenic eastern Australia were flooded.

The Weather Channel web site reported on a meteotsunami that struck the coast of northern Argentina this week, causing a good deal of damage and injuries. A meteotsunami is a series of waves or surge in ocean water onshore caused by a rapid change in atmospheric pressure over the ocean (sometimes due to severe offshore thunderstorms) that can push the surface waters in a series of waves towards the shoreline. They have been occasionally observed on the Great Lakes as well.

MPR listener question:

We are wondering what the recent trend in January moisture and snowfall looks like for Minnesota. Seems like we have had a lot of drier than normal Januarys. Thought you’d know.

Answer:

For the state as s whole, you are correct. Thirteen of the last 20 Januarys have been drier than normal, and 8 of the most recent 11 have been drier as well. The last really wet January was in 2005 when lots of places reported between 20 inches and 50 inches of snowfall.

For the Twin Cities specifically, 14 of the last 20 Januarys have been drier than normal, and 7 of the most recent 11 have been drier than normal. The Twin Cities did report over 20 inches of January snowfall in 2023, 2018, and 2014, but less than 5 inches in 2025, 2024, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, and 2006. Extremes for the Twin Cities snowfall in January are: just 0.6 inches in 1892 and 1898; and 46.4 inches in 1982.

Twin Cities Almanac for January 16th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 23 degrees F (plus or minus 14 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 8 degrees F (plus or minus 15 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for January 16th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 46 degrees F in 1961; lowest daily maximum temperature of -16 degrees F in 1982; lowest daily minimum temperature of -29 degrees F in 1888; highest daily minimum temperature of 34 degrees F in 1894; and record precipitation of 1.05 inches in 1887. Record snowfall for this date is 11.3 inches also in 1887

Average dew point for January 16th is 2°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 37°F in 1913 and the minimum dew point on this date is -38 degrees F in 1982

All-time state records for January 16th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 54 degrees F at Worthington (Nobles County) in 1990. The state record low temperature for this date is -48 degrees F at Embarrass (St Louis County) in 2005. The statewide record for precipitation on this date is 1.65 inches at Beaver Bay (Lake County) in 1870. A record 16.0 inches of snow fell also at Beaver Bay (Lake County) in 1870.

Past Weather:

Dozens of climate stations reported record amounts of snowfall from a winter storm over January 16-17 of 1967. There were several reports of 7 to 12 inches of snowfall. Caledonia had 15 inches, and schools in southeastern counties were closed.

Over 25 counties reported record or near-record high maximum temperatures on January 16 of 1974. Many areas reached 50°F, despite snow cover of 6 inches or greater. Strong winds ushered in very warm air from the south.

With widespread snow cover of 6 to 12 inches, Arctic Cold gripped the state on January 16 of 1977. Seventeen Minnesota counties reported morning low temperatures of -40°F or colder. All areas of the state reported subzero morning temperatures, and many daytime high temperatures were -15°F or colder. Red Lake Falls reported an afternoon high temperature of -23°F.

Outlook:

Some early chances for snow Saturday, then much colder over the weekend and for much of next week. Chances for snow on Sunday. Mostly colder than normal next week with a warm up towards next weekend.