4:46 PM Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Temperatures were running +30 to +35 degrees above normal in much of Minnesota this afternoon, incredible!
Record warmth in the Northland today, and we even had all-time record warmth for the month of January in at least one location today.
Daily record highs set today, Wednesday, January 31st.
Brainerd, MN: 53 degrees (old record high 48 set in 1993)
International Falls, MN: 53 degrees (old record high 45 set in 1999)
Hibbing, MN: 50 degrees (old record high 46 set in 2009)
Note: An all-time record high for the month of January was set today at International Falls with a high of 53 degrees. The previous warmest temperature on record in January at International Falls was 49 degrees which was set on January 20th, 1921.
*The high of 53 degrees at International Falls today, January 31st, marked the earliest first 50 degree temperature on record. The previous earliest was on February 2nd, 1991. The average date for the first 50 degree temperature in International Falls is March 22nd (1897-2023 climate period).
Also of note, Ashland Wisconsin set a record warm low temperature on Tuesday with a low of 34 degrees. The previous record warm low temperature for January 30th was 30 degrees set in 1931.
Today’s highs and departure from normal for January 31st
International Falls, MN: 53 (+36 degrees above normal)
Brainerd, MN: 53 (+31 degrees above normal)
Hibbing, MN: 50 (+32 degrees above normal)
Duluth, MN: 47 (+26 degrees above normal)
Ashland, WI: 44 (+21 degrees above normal)
Temperatures from late this afternoon.
Larger view of temperatures from Wednesday afternoon.
At least one location in southwest Minnesota hit 60 degrees on this final day of January 2024.
Temperatures will turn a bit cooler the next few days with highs Thursday in the middle 30s to lower 40s in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, but keep in mind that these temperatures are still a good +15 to +20 degrees above normal for this time of the year.
81% of days this winter have been warmer than average in Duluth compared to just 16% of days which have been colder than average.
As we head into the final month of meteorological winter the period from December 1st through February 28th here’s where we stand when it comes to average temperature ranks by state so far for the winter of 2023-2024.
Minnesota: Warmest on record
Wisconsin: 2nd warmest on record
Michigan: 3rd warmest on record
Thanks for reading!
Tim
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