It has been a warm week in Minnesota
Finally this week many observers in Minnesota reported their first temperature readings of 40 degrees F or higher since December 1 of last year. Areas with deeper snow cover (SW, WC, and NW) remained in the 30s F. Elsewhere there were many readings in the 40s F, including 44 F at Lake Kabetogama and Virginia, 43 F at Orr, Brainerd, Aitkin, Eveleth, 42 F at Red Wing and the Twin Cities, and 41 degrees F at Grand Rapids and Hibbing. Even Embarrass hit 41 degrees F this week after not seeing a reading that high since November 25th.
The alternating freeze/thaw cycles due to daytime and nighttime temperature fluctuations were helping to gradually discharge some of the snow cover around the state. Some snow water content measurements made this week showed a reduction of a quarter to half inch from what was measured two weeks ago. This is not significant enough to reduce the flood threat on many watersheds, but if it persisted for another week or two in the absence of anymore substantial precipitation it would help the situation.
Mark Seeley talks about that and more with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
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