Weather

Weather numbers show this is one of the coldest starts to the cold season on record.

Afternoon temperatures will be above freezing the next few days, which is good news for anyone who still has some raking to do. Some areas will see rain showers or snow showers Saturday evening and Saturday night.

Milder temperatures on the way.

This Thursday will be our first baby-step toward reasonable temperatures. We’re shooting for 40 by Saturday. We have our weekend forecast, plus a timely reminder about ice safety.

If our recent weather has been too chilly for your tastes, hang in there. Temperatures will moderate over the next few days. And there aren’t any big snowstorms in sight. We have details on all that, plus the latest Minnesota crop report.

Light snow for Wednesday, an inch or less in most areas. Moderating temperatures into the weekend and for next week. And no major snowstorms in the foreseeable future.

Siberian air really chilled us on Tuesday. But moderating temperatures will begin on Wednesday and continue to warm through the weekend and into next week. An Alberta clipper will bring a light layer of snow beginning in the northwest Tuesday night, then sliding southeast and ending on Wednesday.

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program is receiving more than $105 million in federal funding to help low-income residents in the state pay their heating bills this winter. Homeowners and renters who earn less than half of the state’s median income are eligible.

Temperatures bottomed out Tuesday morning with frigid January-like readings. The good news is that temperatures will begin to moderate on Wednesday and get close to normal by the weekend. Look for light snow from the northwest Tuesday night and Wednesday, but no major storms soon.

Our arctic chill will linger through Tuesday, then we’ll see some gradual improvement in our temperatures later in the week. It still looks like some of us will see some snow on Wednesday.