Douglas: No real weather drama appears to be in sight

Highs around 32 expected for eight to nine days starting Jan. 5.

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The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 2, 2026 at 8:18PM

Hi. I’m hoping you have at least one to two hours to answer a few questions about today’s weather experience? How does this bite-size weather blurb make you feel? Can you recommend me to at least 1,000 Facebook friends?

Survey fatigue is real. Buy a product, here’s a survey. Eat at a restaurant or stay in a hotel? Survey. Go to the restroom? No!

Turns out companies are hooked on a single metric called NPS, which stands for “net promoter score.” It asks one question: “How likely are you to recommend us to a friend?” Executives believe this number predicts future business growth and stock performance. Maybe old-fashioned word of mouth still works best? You can’t hide good service or quality.

Models hint on eight to nine days above 32 degrees between Jan. 5 and Jan. 16. A big thaw, indeed. I still see a little freezing rain/drizzle capable of icy roads Sunday afternoon — and fog and drizzle next week as temperatures peak. Otherwise no real weather drama in sight.

So on a scale from 1-5, how did I do? No, minus 5 isn’t a viable option. Please try again.

about the writer

about the writer

Paul Douglas

Columnist

Paul Douglas is a nationally-respected meteorologist, with 40 years of broadcast television and radio experience. He provides daily print and online weather services for the Star Tribune.

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