Weather chats with Mark Seeley

How warm could February get?
A hopeful reader wrote to MPR News, asking how often the Twin Cities sees temperatures of 50 degrees in February.
According to retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley, the 15 or so inches on the ground this week is nothing compared to January 23, 1982 – when snow depth in the metro measured 38 inches.
The early days of December have brought the coldest temperatures of the season so far, with more than 40 Minnesota counties reporting subzero temperatures this week. MPR News guest host John Wanamaker talked about the cold and next week’s weather outlook with retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley.
A listener in Roseville wants to know if there’s still time to finish painting one side of their garage, which did not get painted this fall. To finish the job, they need one more day with temps in the 50s.
Temperatures so far this month are averaging 3 to 5 degrees warmer than normal around the state. It’s also been quite dry in many areas.