Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Our January thaw is on the way. January thaws have become a part of the Minnesota weather lexicon. But what defines a January thaw? And just how common are they?

First, we deal with one more frigid day behind the breezy cold front that cleaned up our Minnesota air quality. Air quality index values dropped dramatically Thursday as northwest winds blew in fresh Canadian air. 

The index for fine particles reached as high as 161 Tuesday evening, and has plunged into the good range at 41 Thursday afternoon. 

Friday brings less wind, some mixed sunshine and more typical January temperatures. 

Southwest winds bring milder air into Minnesota starting Saturday afternoon. Highs should crack the thawing point across much of southern Minnesota Saturday.

Sunday will be the warmest day. Highs will push the 40-degree mark Sunday afternoon in the south.

I still think temperatures on the map below are a few degrees too conservative Sunday afternoon. I think we’ll see lots of 40-degree temperatures from the Twin Cities south and west Sunday afternoon. 

Monday brings another day above the thawing point, with a chance for some light rain or snow showers. 

A January thaw is defined as two or more days with highs above 32 degrees, according to the Minnesota Climate Working Group. 

Just how frequent are January thaws in Minnesota? Believe it or not they are more frequent than a white Christmas in the Twin Cities. 

January Thaws occur in about 94 percent of years dating back to the late 1800s. We’re now on a streak of 12 years and counting with January thaws. The last year without a January thaw in the Twin Cities was 2011.

January thaws from the Minnesota State Climatology Office

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Our January Thaw is on the way. But just how common are these January warm spells?

January thaw: Mild weekend, shot at 40 on Sunday

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