Mark Anderson Meteorologist
We had some bitterly cold air in place to close out the year and the final weekend of 2018. Temperatures dropped from 10 below to 15 below zero in some parts of the region for overnight low temps.
High temperatures on Saturday were 5 to 10 degrees below normal. It was good to see some sunshine and this allowed everyone a chance to dig out from the snowstorm from last week.
A southerly flow out ahead of a our next system warmed things up on Sunday. High temperatures were generally back into the 20s. A clipper type system did bring some light snow and blowing snow to the region on Sunday.
The cold weather impacted some people’s New Year’s Eve plans on Monday night. Overnight low temperatures dropped from 15 below to 20 below zero across parts of the state.
We welcomed in the New Year on a cold note as well. High temperatures were well below zero on New Year’s Day. The good news is we should return to the 20s and 30s by Thursday and Friday. However, with the warmer temperatures we could deal with a wintry mix on Friday. Do drive carefully.
Have a happy New Year and stay warm!
Weather history: On this date in 1981 Arctic air pushed into the Upper Midwest. Minnesota saw temperatures fall to 38 below zero at Embarrass, Wannaska, and Tower!
Weather fact: Did you know that the source region for Arctic air is northern Canada and Siberia? Frigid and dry air in Siberia can cross over the North Pole and spill into the North American continent and bring bitterly cold air to portions of the United States.
Almanac:
Sunrise: 8:03 a.m.
Sunset: 4:48 p.m.
Normal High: 17
Normal Low: -1
MN AT A GLANCE:
Moorhead: Low -24, High 2
Duluth: Low -12, High 3
Central MN: Low -19, High 9
Twin Cities: Low -8, High 15
Rochester: Low -11, High 13
Marshall: Low -15, High 12
Wednesday: A mix of clouds and some sunshine. High 9 Low 6 Wind: SW 10-15 mph Prec. None
It will remain cold for the mid-week as Arctic air continues to impact the region. Temperatures will moderate on Thursday out ahead of our next system. We could see a wintry mix by late Thursday into Friday and again on Sunday. Temperatures should be in the 20s for the first weekend in the New Year!
Thursday: Partly cloudy and warmer. High 28 Low 22 Wind: WSW 10-15 mph Prec. None
Friday: Mostly cloudy, 30% chance of wintry mix. High 30 Low 18 Wind: WSW 5-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20”
Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High 24 Low 12 Wind: WNW 10-15 mph Prec. None
Sunday. Mostly cloudy, 40% chance of light snow. High 20 Low 8 Wind: NW 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20”