Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Coldest morning in 3 to 4 years Tuesday; back above zero Tuesday afternoon

Temperatures will bottom out around -18 degrees in the Twin Cities. It could hit 40-below again up north.

Forecast low temperatures Tuesday morning
Forecast low temperatures Tuesday morning.
NOAA

Tuesday will likely be the coldest morning of this winter in the Twin Cities and most of Minnesota. And it could be the coldest morning in 3 to 4 years.

The last time the Twin Cities dipped to -17 degrees was on Jan. 7, 2022. The last time we hit -19 degrees was Feb. 14, 2021.

The core of our Siberian Arctic air mass glides over us early Tuesday morning. Temperatures will bottom out around sunrise. The colder nooks and crannies of northeast Minnesota will likely hit 40 degrees below zero once again. In the Twin Cities, we’ll likely bottom at -18 degrees or so, and I can’t rule out -20 degrees at MSP Airport and in many suburbs.

Our 60-ish consecutive hour subzero vacation ends early Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures will climb above zero and float slowly upward to around 10 degrees by late in the day.

Forecast high temperatures Tuesday
Forecast high temperatures Tuesday.
NOAA

The rest of the week offers more typical January temperatures. Other than teens on Thursday, highs will be in the 20s from Wednesday right through the upcoming weekend.

Late January Thaw?

It’s interesting to see forecast models suggest we may see a thaw late next week.

NOAA 8 to 14-day temperature outlook
NOAA 8 to 14-day temperature outlook.
NOAA

The European model cranks out highs around 40 degrees by next Thursday, Jan. 28. NOAA’s GFS model may be overdoing it, but suggests a few days of 30s and even 40s possibly late next week into the first weekend of February.

NOAA GFS temperature output
NOAA GFS temperature output between Wednesday, January 29 and February 1.
NOAA via tropical tidbits

Sometimes a transition to milder air after a deep freeze can mean better chances of snow.

Stay tuned.

Dear reader,

Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.

Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?

It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
Headshot of 1A host Jenn White
On Air
1A with Jenn White