Brighter days

Posted at 5:55 PM on January 7, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Streaks of daylight (and streaks on the camera lens) still visible at 5:53pm on MNDOT traffic cam along I-90 at Jackson, Minnesota.

You may notice it's getting brighter on your drive home.

I know I'm stretching here, but we've gained 13 minutes of daylight in the metro since December's winter solstice. I'll grasp at anything that helps me get through January in Minnesota. In the next month we'll gain another hour of daylight.

After a fairly quiet weather spell, things are looking more active again. Another Alberta Clipper will glide through Minnesota Thursday night and Friday. Right now the heaviest snow band looks to set up along the I-94 corridor from Fargo, Alexandria, St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. Changes in that track can change amounts, but it looks likely that you'll be shoveling some snow by Friday afternoon.

The longer range forecast shows an arctic outbreak ahead for next week. This could be the coldest air of the season. Highs may not climb above zero in the metro for a few days next week. Temperatures may reach -40 or colder in northern Minnesota.

After next week, the forecast models are hinting at a January thaw along about the 18th-20th.

CPC 8-14 day outlook hints at a January thaw

We'll be ready for a thaw after next weeks Siberian Express roars into town!

PH

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