Issued at 4:06 PM CST, Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
- Warmer than average temperatures thru early next week
- No significant storms for the next 2 weeks
February climate data for Duluth, Minnesota (Airport location)
Average monthly temperature: 15.1 degrees
Average snowfall: 12.4″
Average precipitation: 0.81″
Sunrise on February 1st: 7:33 AM CST
Sunset on February 1st: 5:11 PM CST
Sunrise on February 29th: 6:49 AM CST
Sunset on February 29th: 5:53 PM CST
*Updated February outlook from the Climate Prediction Center*
For Duluth, Minnesota:
33% chance of above average temperatures with equal chances for above, normal or below normal precipitation.
Weather Tidbits:
*January 2012 will finish in the top 10 in least snowiest and warmest at Duluth, Minnesota. Final numbers will be calculated later This Evening (NWS Duluth, MN) Note: Preliminary data has this January at the 6th warmest in Duluth and 9th warmest in the Twin Cities (Updraft MPR)
*Dating back to last year the precipitation deficit going into February stands at -5.49″ at Duluth, Minnesota.
*January 2012 will likely go down as the coldest on record at Bettles, Galena and Nome, Alaska (TWC)
*5th coldest January on record at Fairbanks, Alaska. Average temperature was -26.7 degrees. Anchorage, Alaska had their 3rd coldest January on record with an average temperature of 3.0 degrees. (Capitalweather)
*Temperature dropped to at least 40 below 16 times in January at Fairbanks, Alaska. This is the most since 1971. (Capitalweather)
Snow depth report as of 6 AM CST Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
Northeast Minnesota:
Duluth: 4.0″
International Falls: 8.0″
7 miles northwest of Brainerd: 5.0″
Bruno: 5.0″
3 miles east of Wright: 3.0″
Cass Lake: 8.0″
Dixon Lake: 9.0″
Northome: 6.0″
Walker: 4.0″
Cook: 8.0″
Embarrass: 8.0″
Grand Portage: 7.0″
Kabetogama: 16.0″
Finland: 12.0″
3 miles east of Orr: 10.0″
Northwest Wisconsin:
Upson: 14.0″
4 miles west of Clam Lake: 10.0″
Gordon: 7.0″
Solon Springs: 6.0″
Superior: 2.0″
Hurley: 14.0″
Today’s Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
An area of low pressure averaging 1002mb has moved into Central Lake Superior late This Afternoon. This low brought a light wintry mix of precipitation to the area last night and early Today. Partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies were common Today with unseasonably warm temperatures as we end the month of January. Highs were in the 30s and 40s with the warmest temperatures occurring in Northwestern Wisconsin. Winds Today were out of the southwest or west-northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
Today’s Upper Level Analysis:
RUC model and water vapor satellite imagery indicate a W/NW 500mb flow covering the Upper Midwest with one disturbance exiting to our east while another one drops E-SE into the Northern Rockies. 850mb temperatures have cooled compared to 24 hours ago, but are still mild for this time of year. 4pm 850’s ranged from +4 degrees in Southwest Minnesota to 0 to -2 degrees C in Northern Minnesota per RUC model.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Tonight through Wednesday Night (January 31st-February 1st)
Partly to mostly cloudy skies will continue during this period and a few snow flurries cannot be ruled out from time to time. Low temperatures will be in the teens and 20s Tonight and mainly the 20s Wednesday Night. Highs on Wednesday will be in the 30s. Winds during this period will be from the west, northwest or southwest at up to 20 mph.
Extended Forecast (February 2nd-4th)
Upper level pattern will become more amplified late this week. Strong 500mb trough and area of low pressure will move into the Southern Plains with rain and snow developing on Thursday and lingering thru Saturday for the Central Plains, Western High Plains and Rockies. All of this precipitation will stay well to the south of our local area as high pressure to our west-north feeds dry air into the region. High temperatures from Thursday through Saturday will mainly be in the 30s with lows Thursday Night and Friday Night in the 20s.
Note: Map below shows the 5 day precipitation forecast valid thru Sunday, February 5th, 2012 (HPC)
Long Range Forecast (February 5th-11th)
Pattern will deamplify somewhat for next week, but will still be unfavorable for any big storms for the Upper Midwest. Temperatures are forecasted to remain on the mild side with some cooling (nothing significant) possibly moving in sometime mid-late next week, or after February 8th.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Considerable cloudiness. Low 22 to 27. Wind west to northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
.Wednesday… Partly sunny. High 33 to 38. Wind west at 10 to 15 mph.
.Wednesday Night… Variable cloudiness. Low 20 to 25. Wind west at 5 to 15 mph.
.Thursday… Partly cloudy. High 37 to 42.
.Thursday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 20 to 25.
.Friday… Partly cloudy. High 31 to 36.
.Friday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 20 to 25.
.Saturday… Partly cloudy. High 30 to 35.
Normal temperatures for Tomorrow
High: 20
Low: 2
Sunrise Wednesday: 7:33 AM CST
Sunset Wednesday: 5:11 PM CST
Tim