If Punxsutawney Phil is right, then it could still be a long winter for much of the U.S. including here in Minnesota.
On Sunday, the famous rodent predicted that winter would be with us for at least six more weeks. Many people were and are hoping for an early Spring. However, not only did Punxsutawney Phil predict more winter for us, but the 30-day outlook is calling for colder-than-normal temperatures and generally slightly-above-average precipitation for much of Minnesota through the end of February.
In addition, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted that February 2025 in Minnesota will be “snowy and colder than average with the last half of the month being especially cold!” Time will tell, but the long-range outlook is calling for a colder and much more active weather pattern for the region this month. Those who haven’t had a chance to do much snowmobiling this winter are glad to hear that news.
Do dress warmly as light snow will be with us for the midweek on Wednesday, with additional light snow possible Friday into Saturday. Also, it will be colder than normal through this weekend as well. Temperatures appear to be colder than average through at least the mid-point of this month.
Maybe Punxsutawney Phil is on to something this year as it could be a while until Spring arrives. Although the woodchuck is historically right only about
40 percent of the time over the past 10-15 years.
Weather history: On this date in 1834, old-time records at Fort -Snelling show that “unseasonably mild temperatures” were found as it rose to a high of 51 degrees.
Weather facts: Did you know that Punxsutawney Phil has been “predicting the weather in -Punxsutawney, Penn., since 1886?”
MN AT A GLANCE:
Moorhead Low 5 High 16
Duluth Low 1 High 19
Central Minn. Low 4 High 18
Twin Cities 8 High 17
Marshall Low 6 High 16
Rochester Low 12 High 29
Wednesday: Cloudy, 70% chance of light snow. High 18 Low 5 Wind: SE 10-15 mph Prec. .05”-.25”
Today’s sunrise: 7:38 a.m.
Today’s sunset: 5:34 p.m.
Normal High: 21
Normal Low: 3
Light snow will be with us for the midweek on Wednesday. Accumulations should be generally light for the area. Temperatures will be unseasonably cool for this time of the year through this weekend. More light snow will be possible Friday into Saturday.
Thursday: Partly to mostly cloudy, windy and colder. High 6 Low 2 Wind: WNW 20-30>40 Prec. None
Friday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy, 20% chance of snow. High 13 Low 8 Wind: SSE 5-10 mph Prec. Trace-.20”
Saturday: Cloudy, 30% chance of light snow mainly early. High 16 Low 0 Wind: N 5-10 mph Prec. Trace-.20”
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 11 Low -2 Wind: WNW 10-15 mph Prec. None