Western, central and northern Minnesota under windy, dry weather conditions 

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Do you notice a spring in your step these days? One reason may be the 

Here are some benchmarks on our rapidly increasing daylight:

The sun angle over Minnesota this week is equal to mid-October. At solar noon, the sun is 36 degrees above the southern horizon. That means more incoming solar energy to heat the ground and melt snow on sunny days.

Once snow cover disappears, the sun is more efficient at warmings the lower atmosphere. A much higher percentage of the sun’s energy is available to warm the air near the ground. 

That can add as much as 10 degrees to air temperatures versus days with fresh snow cover.

We know we can still get bouts of snow and cold in March and even April. But any wintry remnants are fighting a losing battle against increasing amounts of solar energy as daylight rapidly increases, and the sun rises higher into the sky each day.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Minnesota is rapidly gaining daylight this time of year. 

Bright sun at solar noon over the Weather Lab

Paul Huttner/MPR News

Daylight and solar data for late February

Brighter days: Minnesota gaining 3 minutes of daylight per day now

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox