Mixed weather features to start February

Mixed weather features to start February:

A little sun, a little cloud, a few windy days and a few calm days, some warm temperatures and some cold temperatures, as well as some measurable snowfalls were all elements of the first week of February around Minnesota. Over February 1-2, scores of observers reported between 1 and 3 inches of snowfall.

Temperatures ranged from -27°F at Gunflint Lake and Baudette on February 2nd (Monday) to 50°F at several locations on Thursday, February 5th. In fact, Worthington, Marshall, and Canby reported 50°F that day, while Slayton (Murray County) reported 51°F. In fact, Thursday, February 5th brought the temperature up to above the freezing mark in the Twin Cities for the first time since January 16th, and for the first time International Falls since January 13th.

For now, outlook models favor above normal temperatures to prevail across Minnesota until at least mid-month, and some favor warmer than normal through the third week of February. So undoubtedly, we will see more 40°F days, and maybe even some 50°F degree days materialize.

Sad News for the Minnesota Weather Community:

Martha Opjorden of Milan (Chippewa County) passed away on January 23, 2026 at age 75 years, and 4 days later her husband Luther Opjorden of Milan passed away at age 80 years. Luther and Martha were cooperative (volunteer) weather observers for the NOAA-National Weather Service at Milan since 1982. They had taken over daily weather observations at Milan from Luther’s father Torfinn, who had made daily observations since 1925. Before Torfinn’s tenure as climate observer, other members of the Opjorden family had made daily weather observers since 1893, helping to build a 132 year continuous daily climate record for Chippewa County. This is one of the most valuable long term climate records in the state of Minnesota.

It was my pleasure to meet Luthern Opjorden on two separate occasions during my 40 years as University of Minnesota Extension Climatologist. He was a food farmer, an architect draftsman, an excellent woodworker, and a great weather observer. I also remember he had a good sense of humor and humility. He and Martha will be solely missed, but their nearly 132 year old climate record will hopefully go on serving us a documentation of climate behavior and climate change in our state. May they Rest in Peace.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

The BBC Weather Center reported this week that the year 2026 is off to an extremely wet start in portions of the United Kingdom. For parts of southwest England and south Wales, every day of the year has brought rain so far. That’s 36 consecutive days with rain! In some places the sun has not made an appearance for 14 consecutive days.

There is an interesting article on the Weather Underground web site this week about the ideal bedroom temperature for getting a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown for many people the ideal bedroom temperature range is 65° to 67°F. Within this reach, most people sleep comfortably and a person’s body gets better restorative sleep. There are variations due to human body types, size, respiration, metabolism, and age. Studies have found that “older people tend to want it to be a little bit warmer,” he explains, often due to circulation changes. Body type also plays a role. “If you generally are leaner, you may want a little bit more of a warmer temperature due to having less body fat.”

MPR listener question:

We were wondering how often historically is February the snowiest month of the snow season in the Twin Cities Area?

Answer:

For MSP which has a 141 year record of snowfall statistics, February has been the snowiest month of the snow-season about 12 percent of the time, or once every 8 or 9 years. Maximum February snowfall in the Twin Cities was 39 inches back in 2019. For Duluth, February is the snowiest month about 14 percent of the time, or about once every 6 or 7 years. They had a record 36.4 inches of snowfall in February of 2019. BTW the statewide record for February is 51 inches of snow at Pigeon River (Cook County) in 1939.

Twin Cities Almanac for February 6th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 26 degrees F (plus or minus 12 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 10 degrees F (plus or minus 14 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for February 6th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 57 degrees F in 2024; lowest daily maximum temperature of -13 degrees F in 1936; lowest daily minimum temperature of -24 degrees F in 1936; highest daily minimum temperature of 34 degrees F in 1925; and record precipitation of 0.62 inches in 1881. Record snowfall for this date is 5.4 inches in 1946

Average dew point for February 6th is 5°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 38°F in 1965 and the minimum dew point on this date is -32 degrees F in 1962.

All-time state records for February 6th:

The state record high temperature for this date is 59 degrees F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) in 1963 The state record low temperature for this date is -50 degrees F at Detroit Lakes (Becker County) in 1907. The statewide record for precipitation on this date is 2.00 inches at Montevideo (Chippewa County) in 1914. A record 16.0 inches of snow fell at Beardsley (Big Stone County) in 1946.

Past Weather:

With 1 to 2 feet of snow on the ground across much of the state, February 6 of 1936 brought Arctic Cold. Morning low temperature ranged from -20°F to -35°F across most of the state. Sixteen northern counties reported -40°F or colder, with -45°F at Itasca State Park. The afternoon high temperature at Crookston (Polk County) only made -22°F.

A winter storm delivered heavy snow to western Minnesota counties on February 6 of 1946. Many areas received 12 inches to 16 inches of snowfall. The storm was well forecast and a number of schools were closed. It proved to be a snowy month of February in western Minnesota, with many observers reported over 20 inches of snow for the month.

With little or no snow on the ground, many places in southern and western Minnesota recorded record-setting high maximum temperatures on February 6 of 1987. Bright sun and south winds brought afternoon temperatures in the 50s F. After a morning low of 16°F, Marshall (Lyon County) reached an afternoon high temperature of 58°F. Four other climate stations reached that mark as well. Over 25 climate stations reported a new record daily high temperature.

Outlook:

Increasing sunshine over the weekend and breezy, but with above normal temperatures. Even warmer on Monday, with many areas seeing temperatures in the 40s F, and even some 50s F. Somewhat cooler the balance of next week, but still warmer than normal with a chance for snow later on Tuesday, and slight chances for snow in southern counties on Wednesday and Thursday.