Paradoxically, the longer we go without snow, the bigger a deal it is (legacy media, social media, all the medias) when it does decide to snow.
As of Tuesday, the metro area has gone 51 days in a row without a plowable (2-inch-plus) snowfall. Unusual, yes, but not nearly as jaw-dropping as the “Lost Winter” of 2023-2024 when the Twin Cities went a whopping 105 consecutive days without a snowfall of 2 inches or more. That was a strong El Niño winter, by the way, which tend to be drier and milder for Minnesota and the northern tier of the United States. El Niño is forecast to return in 2026, so I can’t say I’m optimistic about next winter being a big-snow experience. I hope I’m wrong.
Rain tapers, with a storm wobbling just enough to bring a snow band into town later Wednesday, maybe 1-2 inches. Friday’s alleged snowstorm? Right now it looks like 1-3 inches, if that, maybe more just east of the St. Croix River.
I see 20s (above zero) Friday into Monday, then another big thaw with more 30s next week. My gut (nausea, perhaps?) is that the coldest weather of winter is now behind us.
