Cold Winds Continue
Arctic winds continue across the Midwest. Many locations will be dealing with dangerous wind cold once again on Tuesday. The National Weather Service has widespread wind chill concerns in place because of the dangerous cold.
Coldest Wind Chill Values AM Tuesday
Here's the lowest wind chills expected on Tuesday. Some locations will be in the -20s to -30s across the region, which means that frost bite could occur within minutes for some. Bundle up!
Dress For The Weather
"Extremely cold air comes every winter into at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. The arctic air can be dangerous. Combined with brisk winds, dangerously cold wind chill values can result. People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes. Areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the extremities, such as hands and feet. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Cold weather can also affect crops. In late spring or early fall, cold air outbreaks can damage or kill produce for farmers, as well as residential plants and flowers. A freeze occurs when the temperature drops below 32°F. Freezes and their effects are significant during the growing season. Frost develops on clear, calm nights and can occur when the air temperature is in the mid-30s. Each plant species has a different tolerance to cold temperatures. You may also want to check out our winter safety site for snow and more cold season hazards information. If you or someone you know has been a victim of extreme cold, please share your story so we can help prevent others from becoming a victim. When you write, please state that the NWS has permission to use your story, and let us know the town and state you were in and when the event took place. Read our real-life stories from extreme cold survivors."
Welcome to the Arctic
Take a look at the 850mb temp anomaly across the nation as we head through the next 7 days. Some of the coldest air of the season by far will continue across much of the nation with many dealing with subzero wind chill values.
COLD Mid January Temperatures
Temps in the Twin Cities over the next several days will continue to see very cold temps with readings running well below average for this time of the year. As we approach the weekend and into next week, we'll see a pretty dramatic shift toward warmer temps once again.
Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI)
"Winter seasons have significant societal impacts across all sectors ranging from direct human health and mortality to commerce, transportation, and education. The question "How severe was this winter?" does not have a simple answer. At the very least, the severity of a winter is related to the intensity and persistence of cold weather, the amount of snow, and the amount and persistence of snow on the ground. The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI) was developed to objectively quantify and describe the relative severity of the winter season."
It's probably no surprise, but most locations around the Midwest and Great Lakes have had a "Mild" winter so far. Again, we're still waiting for the other boot to drop, but being in an El Nino setup, a winter like last year is not really in the cards. The Midwest will likely see an overall warmer and less snowy winter.
"Mild" Winter So Far in for the Twin Cities
Here's a look at the Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI) for Minneapolis, MN so far this winter season. With a lack of cold temps and snow, it may be no surprise that we are currently sitting under a "Mild" winter rating so far.
COLD & Quiet Week Ahead
Here's the weather outlook through the weekend ahead, which shows quiet weather in place closer to home, but it will still be very cold. There could be a brief shot of light snow late Thursday into Friday. Stay tuned.
Extended Precipitation Outlook
According to NOAA's WPC, there is very minimal precipitation potential closer to home over the next 7 days.
Seasonal Snowfall So Far
The Twin Cities has only seen 7.1" of snow this season, which is nearly -17.0" below normal snowfall and the 22nd least snowy start to any season on record. Duluth is nearly -30" below normal snowfall and Marquette in nearly -40" below normal snowfall.
Seasonal Snowfall Departure From Average
Looking around the region, no climate site has a surplus this season. The biggest deficits are around the Great Lakes, where we typically get lake effect snow, but with a lack of Arctic air, we haven't seen much in the way of heavy snow yet this season.
Twin Cities Average Snowfall
Depending on what 30-year average you look at, December is typically the 1st or 2nd snowiest month out of the year in the Twin Cities. If you look at the last 30 years 1993-2022, December averages 12.7" of snow and is the snowiest month of the year, followed by January with nearly 11" of snow.
Twin Cities Weather Outlook For Tuesday
The weather outlook for the Twin Cities on Tuesday calls for cold temps with readings holding in the single digits through the afternoon. Feels like temps will be even colder and into the -10s & -20s much of the daylight hours.
Meteograms For Minneapolis
Temperatures in the Twin Cities on Tuesday will start in the subzero range in the morning and will will warm in to the single digits in the afternoon. Westerly winds will be strong once again will gusts approaching 30mph, which will keep the wind chill values in the -15F to -25F range for much of the day.
Hourly Feels Like Temps For Minneapolis on Tuesday
Feels like temps through the day will be around the -15s to -25s through the entire day. It will be VERY cold.
Weather Outlook For Tuesday
The weather outlook for Tuesday will still be very cold with highs hovering in the single digits above and below zero, which is nearly -10F to -20F below average for this time of the year.
Extended Temperature Outlook For Minneapolis
The 5 day temperature outlook for Minneapolis will be well below average for this time of the year with readings nearly -10F to -22F below average through the week
Extended Weather Outlook For Minneapolis
The extended weather outlook for Minneapolis over the next 7 days shows well below average temps through the rest of the week. The coldest readings will be end early Saturday morning before warmer weather moves in once again.
8 to 14 Day Temperature Outlook
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook, warmer than average temperatures returning across much of the nation. After a very cold week ahead, it looks like El Nino warmth returns.
8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook
The 8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook shows more active weather across much of the nation and especially across the Central and Southern US.
Pacific Thaw On Tap For Next Week
By Paul Douglas
"As the days lengthen the cold doth strengthen". No kidding. Historically tomorrow is the coldest day of the year, so I'm not shocked we're shivering this week. If it's any consolation we've picked up over 25 minutes of additional daylight since December 21. And our coldest midwinter days tend to be sunny (all that dry, Canadian air bleeding southward).
We still experience cold fronts in a warming world, just not as bitter - or lasting as long, as they did as recently as the 1970s. Winter is the fastest-warming season in Minnesota.
Right on cue, Pacific warmth returns next week with a streak of 30s, and due to sparse snow cover, a shot at 40F in a few spots. We may even see a light snow/ice/rain mix by the middle of next week. Lovely.
In the meantime, we should see some sunshine today with a stiff breeze and temperatures about 5-8F "milder" than yesterday. 2 or 3 more nights below 0F late this week; then we finally thaw out.
In spite of this Siberian slap, January may wind up milder than average.
Extended Forecast
TUESDAY: Some sun, feels like -20. Winds: W 10-20. High 6.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy and cold. Feels like -15F. Winds: WSW 10-15. Low 2.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Above zero! Winds: W 8-13. High 12.
THURSDAY: Clouds increase, snow stays south. Winds: NW 10-15. Wake-up: 1. High 10.
FRIDAY: Few flakes, arctic breeze returns. Winds: NW 10-20. Wake-up: -2. High 5.
SATURDAY: Bright sunshine, less wind. Winds: NW 5-10. Wake-up: -7. High 9.
SUNDAY: Clouds increase, windy again. Winds: S 15-30. Wake-up: -2. High: 20.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, time to exhale. Winds: S 10-20. Wake-up: 17. High: 32.
This Day in Weather History
January 16th
1921: Winds gusting up to 59 mph create a 'sand blizzard' across southwest Minnesota and a snowstorm across the north.
Average High/Low for Minneapolis
January 16th
Average High: 23F (Record: 46F set in 1961)
Average Low: 8F (Record: -29F set in 1888)
Record Rainfall: 1.05" set in 1887
Record Snowfall: 8.4" set in 1994
Sunrise/Sunset Times for Minneapolis
January 16th
Sunrise: 7:46am
Sunset: 4:58pm
Hours of Daylight: ~9 hours & 12 minutes
Daylight GAINED since yesterday: 1 Minute & 49 Seconds
Daylight GAINED since Winter Solstice (December 21st): ~ 26 minutes
Moon Phase for January 16th at Midnight
0.9 Days Before First Quarter Moon
Record Cold Highs on Tuesday
There will be several record cold high temps across the Southern US on Tuesday. All the circled locations will have the potential of seeing this happen, even down to the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana - BRR!
National High Temps on Tuesday
The weather outlook on Tuesday looks very cold across much of the nation with temps running nearly -10F to -30F below average for this time of the year.
National Weather Outlook For Tuesday
Areas of snow will continue across the Great Lakes. There will be more snow and ice lifting into the Northeast. There will also be areas of heavy rain and mountain snow in the Pacific Northwest.
National Weather Outlook
The National Weather Outlook through Wednesday shows areas of snow lingering across the Great Lakes with heavy accumulations possible. There will be more rain and snow in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.
Extended Precipitation Outlook
The extended precipitation outlook shows heavier precipitation across the Western US and especially along the Coast and the high elevations. There will also be some decent precipitation in the Eastern US.
Extended Snowfall Outlook
According to the ECMWF weather model, Heavy snow will continue to fall in the high elevations in the Western US. There will also be some heavy snowfall in the Great Lakes and parts of the Eastern US.
Climate Stories
"The Northern Lights Could Be Extra Intense and Appear More This Year — Here's Why"
"We're approaching solar maximum — here's what that means. If you've noticed more buzz about the northern lights this year, there's a good reason why. The aurora borealis has indeed been more active than usual, and scientists predict that auroral activity is only going to increase in the coming year as we reach solar maximum, the peak of the solar cycle. Here's everything you need to know about what's going on with the sun — and how it's going to affect the frequency and strength of the northern lights. What is the solar cycle? The sun is a fiery ball of electrically charged gas, and as this gas moves, it creates a magnetic field with a north and south pole. Approximately every 11 years, these magnetic poles flip, which causes increased solar activity on the surface of the sun, including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs)."
See more from Travel Leisure HERE
"Scientists Predict 2024 Will Be Our First Glimpse of Earth at 1.5°C"
"It's official: 2023 was Earth's hottest year ever recorded, beating the previous record set in 2016 by a huge margin. Last year was also the first in which the world was close to 1.5°C (1.48°C) hotter than the pre-industrial average (1850-1900). We are brushing against the threshold scientists urged us to limit long-term warming to. Some scientists, including former Nasa climatologist James Hansen, predict 2024 will be humanity's first year beyond 1.5°C. As what were once dire warnings from climate experts become our shared reality, what can you expect? The 1.5°C temperature target, enshrined in the 2015 Paris agreement, is not shattered on first contact. Most of the climate tipping points scientists fear could send warming hurtling out of control are not expected until Earth is consistently warmer than 1.5°C."
See more from Science Alert HERE
"This Hack Will Keep Snow from Sticking to Your Windows"
"Typical preparations for a big snowfall include running to the store for milk and eggs, getting gas for the generator, and dusting off the old snow shovel. But did you know that WD-40 also comes in handy? WD-40 has water dispensing properties that prevent snow from sticking to glass. Simply spray the outside of your windows with WD-40 to prevent snow and ice buildup. Your view from inside will be clear, so you can enjoy the sight of snow falling. Other WD-40 Winter Uses Aside from spraying all your lower-level windows, you can also prevent snow from piling around exterior windows and door frames. Spray WD-40 on a cloth and wipe down any areas you'd like to avoid snow or ice buildup."
