/Issued 3:11 PM CST, Friday, January 31, 2014/
-Updated temperature outlook for February 2014 per Climate Prediction Center. Fairly high odds for colder than normal temperatures in Minnesota and Wisconsin next month.
Note: This winter has been the 3rd coldest so far at both International Falls, and Duluth, Minnesota. Details below.
Duluth, Minnesota (Airport location)
December 1, 2013 through January 30, 2014:
Average temperature: 3.3 degrees which makes this the 3rd coldest winter so far.
1st: 2.1 degrees 1976-1977 from 1DECEMBER-30JANUARY.
2nd: 2.9 degrees 1917-1918 from 1DECEMBER-30JANUARY.
International Falls
December 1, 2013 through January 30, 2014:
Average temperature: -3.9 degrees which makes this the 3rd coldest winter so far.
1st: -4.5 degrees 1976-1977 from 1DECEMBER-30JANUARY.
2nd: -4.1 degrees 1978-1979 from 1DECEMBER-30JANUARY.
Low temperature report for This Morning January 31, 2014
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, MN: -16F
International Falls, MN: -20F
Brainerd, MN: -16F
Hibbing, MN: -24F
Hayward, WI: -22F
Two Harbors, MN: -20F
Silver Bay, MN: -22F
Grand Marais, MN (Airport) -20F
Ely, MN: -20F
Orr, MN: -20F
Cook, MN: -20F
Eveleth, MN: -24F
Bigfork, MN: -24F
Longville, MN: -24F
Pine River, MN: -27F
Moose Lake, MN: -20F
Hinckley, MN: -22F
3 E of Wright, MN: -22F
Cass Lake, MN: -19F
Babbitt, MN: -30F
Brimson, MN: -28F
Embarrass, MN: -30F
Grand Portage, MN: -23F
4 E of Island Lake, MN: -20F
Kabetogama, MN: -21F
3 E of Orr, MN: -27F
Finland, MN: -17F
Butternut, WI: -19F
4 W of Clam Lake, WI: -20F
Winter, WI: -20F
The winter of 2013-14 should finish at least average in terms of snowfall at Duluth, Minnesota. Details below…
Snow total so far this winter (Dec 1 – Jan 30) 49.3″
Average for an entire winter (Dec – Feb) 49.5″
Note: I think we can muster up at least 0.2″ of snow during February so that would get us at least to average snowfall for the winter of 2013-14.
Note: Remember the 23.3″ of snow that we picked up in early December? (2nd-4th) Seems so long ago I know. Well if that storm missed us, then right now we’d be at 26″ of snow for the winter, not 49.3″.
Annual snowfall total since July 1: 54.3″
Departure: +1.6″
The average annual snow total is 86.1″
Will we get to average? Probably not, unless we have a strong finish from February through April.
Snow depth report for January 31, 2014
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, MN: 19″
International Falls, MN: 21″
7 NW of Brainerd, MN: 18″
12 N of Isle, MN: 20″
3 E of Wright, MN: 14″
Cass Lake, MN: 18″
Babbitt, MN: 25″
Cook, MN: 23″
Embarrass, MN: 20″
Floodwood, MN: 18″
Grand Portage, MN: 21″
4 E of Island Lake, MN: 22″
Kabetogama, MN: 23″
3 E of Orr, MN: 19″
Finland, MN: 28″
Ashland, WI: 24″
Gurney, WI: 29″
Upson, WI: 25″
9 N of Bayfield, WI: 31″
4 W of Clam Lake, WI: 23″
Sarona, WI: 24″
Solon Springs, WI: 22″
Winter, WI: 22″
-U.S. snow depth map as of January 31, 2014. Source, WSI.
Today’s Weather Summary for NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin
High pressure of 1022mb was over Northern Iowa late This Afternoon with low pressure of 1008mb over Western Manitoba. Plenty of sunshine across the Northland Today as we close out the month of January. Chilly temperatures continued with highs in the single digits to around 10 above. Winds were out of the southwest at 5 to around 20 mph.
Forecast Discussion for NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin
Short Term Forecast – Confidence: High.
Tonight (January 31)
Partly to mostly cloudy skies will be common Tonight with flurries and snow showers possible after Midnight across Western areas. Lows will be in the single digits and teens below to the single digits above zero. South or southwest winds will continue at 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday and Saturday Night (February 1)
A weak system passes through the area Tomorrow bringing with it a few snow showers and flurries, otherwise expect partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies on Saturday with highs in the single digits to the lower 20s. Skies will become partly cloudy Saturday Night with lows in the single digits, teens, and 20s below. Winds will shift to the northwest during this period at 10 to around 20 mph.
Extended Forecast – Confidence: High.
Sunday through Tuesday (February 2-4)
Looks mainly dry this period with highs generally in the single digits, although some locales could climb into the teens. Low temps will be in the single digits, teens, and 20s below for Sunday Night and Monday Night.
Long Range Forecast – Confidence: High.
(February 5-10)
More of the same. Colder than average temperatures and no significant snow events here in the Northland.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Mostly clear This Evening. Partly to mostly cloudy after Midnight. Low 2 below to 7 below. Wind south to southwest at 5 to 15 mph.
.Saturday… Considerable cloudiness with flurries and snow showers possible at times. High 15 to 20. Wind south to southwest at 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest during the Afternoon.
.Saturday Night… Becoming partly cloudy. Low 10 below to 15 below. Wind northwest at 10 to 15 mph.
.Sunday… Mostly sunny. High 5 to 10.
.Sunday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 10 below to 15 below.
.Monday… Partly cloudy. High 5 to 10.
.Monday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 10 below to 15 below.
.Tuesday… Partly cloudy. High 5 to 10.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 20
Low: 2
Sunrise Saturday: 7:33 AM CST
Sunset Saturday: 5:12 PM CST
Tim