Multiple high temperature records fall Thursday
NEW ULM — Lots of people were outside walking, even bicycling Thursday as high temperature records were set in much of southern Minnesota.
New Ulm’s Jan. 30, 1964 and 1989 record high of 54 degrees was reset at 55 degrees Thursday.
“High temperature records were generally set south of Lake Mille Lacs due to lack of snow pack. Strong, southerly winds brought in warm air too,” said Tyler Hasenstein of the National Weather Service Chanhassen office.
The Minnesota warm spot Thursday was Fairmont at 58 degrees. Other high temperature records were set in Mankato and St. Cloud.
The Twin Cities record of 48 set in 1989 was topped with 52 degrees.
Hasenstein said there is a chance of light snow Saturday but it isn’t likely to stay on the ground.
He said cooler weather is more likely in February. Daytime highs next week are 19 Monday and Tuesday and 23 on Wednesday.
“The overall trend is colder weather and a slight lean toward above average precipitation in February,” Hasenstein said.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecasts average temperatures and precipitation in much of Minnesota for February, March and April 2025.
Snow lovers may recall the second week of January 1975 a period described by some meteorologists as the ‘storm of the century’ that featured wind gusts peaking at 50-80 mph.
Many highways and roads were closed in much of Minnesota. Snowmobiles were used to rescue stranded motorists.
Several northern Minnesota counties reported more than 40 inches of snow and end-of-the-month record snow depths of more than five feet in January 1975.
For more information, visit https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/