“Hey Paul, the cold is terrific, but where’s the snow?”
I wish I knew. Too much cold air has shoved the main storm track well south of Minnesota in recent weeks. Only 4.1 inches of snow at MSP so far in January, and I don’t see any significant snow events looking out two weeks. Beyond that, the crystal ball gets blurry.
The last time MSP had a plowable (2 inches or more) snowfall on a single day was Dec. 28, 2025 (5.8 inches fell). This is prime time for snow. The latest 30-year climate data shows that MSP averages 11 inches in January, second only to December (11.4).
January has trended drier, statewide, in recent decades. We have plenty of minor clippers with an inch here and there, but no big storms tracking south, capable of pulling real moisture into Minnesota.
Another cold week is on tap, with three or four more nights below zero. For the first time since Jan. 16, temperatures rise above 32 one week from tomorrow, followed by a week of 30s and a few 40s. Here in the Land of Low Weather Expectations, we don’t ask for much. Freezing is just fine.
