Bidding farewell to January's brutal weather

Winter storm gear
A man wears a face mask and heavy clothes while walking through downtown Springfield, Ill., in blowing and falling snow as a strong winter storm moves through the Midwest Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Temperatures not seen in years are likely to set records in the coming days across the Midwest, Northeast and South, creating dangerous travel conditions and prompting church and school closures.
Seth Perlman/ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 2014 will be remembered as cold and snowy in most places. Statewide observers reported mean monthly temperatures that ranged from 7 to 10 degrees colder than normal, ranking among the 3-4 coldest Januarys of the past 35 years.

At least a dozen observers reported a monthly minimum temperature value of -40, while Minnesota reported the coldest temperature in the nation on 17 days during the month, more than any other state. The month was made colder by the wind, as there were numerous days when the National Weather Service had to issue windchill advisories or warnings. Winds gusted to 30 mph or higher on 11 days.

University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley discussed the weather with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.