Weather chats with Mark Seeley

According to retired University of Minnesota meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley, Minnesota reported the nation's coldest temperature 11 times in the second half of January. Seeley talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about the cause of the recent deep freeze, and other weather topics.
Following an unusually warm first half of January, the weather pattern in Minnesota has been dominated by a northwesterly flow of air, and temperatures have generally averaged colder than normal on most days.
The first half of January has been warmer than usual across much of the state — with some places in southern Minnesota yet to see a subzero day. That's expected to change as early as this weekend.
Last year, southeastern Minnesota climate stations reported 50 inches of annual precipitation and two of them broke the state record: Caledonia reported 57.97 inches, and Harmony reported 60.21 inches.
Mark Seeley on our winter warm up
An Arctic Air Mass gripped the state on New Year's Day this year. However, a warming trend began early on January 3rd of this week. Retired meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about the big change in temperatures.
December was a warmer than normal month with average monthly temperatures around the state running 6 to 9 degrees F above normal. In fact on a statewide basis this December will rank among the ten warmest historically dating back to 1895.
This year will rank among the 20 wettest years in state history, and among the 20 warmest. That's according to retired University of Minnesota meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley.