Bitter cold temps are Minnesota Normal

Our recent streak of nights with temperatures below zero is nothing out of the normal. With negative numbers recorded on 21 days so far in the Twin Cities, we're only seven short of the historical average of 28 for the year, the National Weather Service said.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: February 21, 2008 - 9:30 AM

But it might seem like our brutal cold is unusual because recent winters have not been as cold as this one. From January to December in 2007, there were only 18 days below zero compared with only three days in 2006 and 11 in 2005. In 2002, there were only two, according to the National Weather Service.

There 45 days with sub-zero readings in 1996.

For the immediate future, the temperature in the Twin Cities will flirt with zero tonight, but then a noticeable warm-up begins. After a high of 14 degrees today, Friday will bring sunny skies and highs in the low 20s. On Saturday the mercury will reach the upper 20s with low- to mid-30s expected Sunday and Monday, the Weather Service said.

No Arctic air is in sight at least for the next seven days, but a cooling trend with a chance of snow Monday will drop temperatures back in the low 20s for Tuesday and Wednesday, the Weather Service said.

The average high for this time of year is 30 degrees and the average low is 14.

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