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2020 is behind us and as we look back at the weather in Minnesota, the two biggest trends were that it was a warm and a dry year across the state. And now, the first days of 2021 are going to start off similarly — mild and dry.

Coming off areas of record rain the previous year, Minnesota started 2020 with no parts of the state that were in “abnormally dry” or drought conditions.  

That changed quickly as portions of Minnesota struggled to get significant precipitation, with a few areas even going into the “severe drought” category during the year.  

Almost the entire state ended up drier than average, with some spots, such as Duluth, far enough below average to see a top 10 driest year.

Looking at the drought monitor for Minnesota, the change over 2020 is stark.

Warmer than average temperatures contributed to the dry conditions.  

While the state ranking is not compiled yet for 2020 as of publication time for this story, the Twin Cities, for example, tied its 14th warmest year on record in records that go back about 150 years.

Minnesotans also voted the historic warmth of early November, which gave the state more 70- and 80-degree highs than any other November on record, the top weather event of the year.

(The top five weather events of 2020 as compiled by the State Climatology Office can be found here: 

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/journal/top-five-weather-events-2020-minnesota.html

The New Year started off slightly milder than average, with most morning lows in the teens and a few single digits.  There have also been some light areas of fog that are expected to burn-off by midday.

Skies across the state remain mostly cloudy Friday, due in part to a strong winter storm passing southeast of Minnesota.  However, other than an isolated chance for a flurry, the precipitation with that should miss Minnesota.

Highs warm into the 20s for almost the entire state, with a few 30s possible southwest.  

This is near-average for places like the Twin Cities, but almost 10 degrees above average for northern Minnesota.

Saturday morning is also likely to start of foggy across much of Minnesota, with mostly cloudy skies lingering much of the day.

Most of the state makes it into the 20s again, with 30s expected across the majority of western Minnesota.  

By Sunday, more sunshine returns and that helps push almost all of the state into the 30s.

Monday will also be in the 30s, with a slight chance for an isolated 40 in southern Minnesota.  It would be even milder, except the snow on the ground prevents temperature from getting too warm. Expect some significant melting Monday.

Monday is currently forecast to be the warmest day next week, but the entire week remains above average with high in the 20s and 30s the remainder of the week.  

Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:

Meanwhile, precipitation chances are limited until Monday, when light snow is likely to clip across northern Minnesota.  There is the potential for a more significant winter storm next Wednesday, but some models show that may track across northern Minnesota and miss the southern half of the state. 

We will keep you updated as the track and potential snowfall with that storm become more certain.  

Happy New Year, and thank you for following Updraft in 2021!

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

2020 is behind us and as we look back at the weather in Minnesota, the two biggest trends were that it was a warm and a dry year across the state. And now, the first days of 2021 are going to start off similarly — mild and dry.


2020 goes in the record books as a warm and dry year

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