While the cold has lingered briefly, retired climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley told MPR News’ Cathy Wurzer he expects temperatures to warm up again over the weekend and stick around for the rest of February.
Since the start of February, temperatures have been averaging nearly 25 degrees above normal in Minnesota. Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley called it mind-boggling.
Almost 30 years ago to the date, Tower set a state record for the coldest day in Minnesota, making it more than 90 degrees below freezing. Now, we’re experiencing the state’s warmest meteorological winter.
Average temperatures across the state for January have dropped into an extreme level of cold. However, the final weeks of January may see the opposite effect. If so, Minnesota could have its warmest winter in nearly 30 years.
December and November saw record-breaking weather extremes, making 2023 the eighth-warmest year in state history. And although January may feel cooler, it’s still above average.
As has been the theme this season, warmer trends and less-than-average precipitation have taken hold, meaning Minnesota's warmest December in state history is likely on the horizon. If warm trends continue over the next weeks, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth could see their warmest December since 1877.
It has been an unseasonably warm start to December, with several Minnesota cities breaking daily record high temperatures. Retired climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley spoke with Cathy Wurzer about it — and the likelihood of winter storms — in their weekly weather chat.
A lack of snow on the ground for much of Minnesota has been just one indication of warming temperatures during the winter months. Minnesotans aren’t just seeing low precipitation, they’re feeling it, too. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with retired climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley about the upward trends in their weekly weather chat.
According to retired meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley approximately two-thirds of days in the month were warmer than normal. and although it may not have felt like that warm, Thursday concluded one of the warmest Novembers since 1895.