Lazy hazy days

Posted at 3:09 PM on January 22, 2009 by Paul Huttner (1 Comments)

A hazy sky along I-35 near downtown Minneapolis today

Well if there are dog days of winter, this must be it.

A very nice weather week has been welcome to most of us in the Upper Midwest. While my predictions of a thaw in the metro did not quite materialize, it's been a great week to get outside with bright sun, light winds, and above average temperatures.

The January thaw crept as close as southwestern Minnesota this week, where Slayton is basking in 34 degree weather today. Sioux Falls is enjoying 41 and melting plenty of snow. If you are ever looking for a really mild winter climate that is not that far away, try the Black Hills near Rapid City. They are pushing 60 again today. The past 4 days featured highs above 60 degrees and they have only stayed below freezing 4 days this month!

Rapid City is running 6.1 degrees above average this month, while we are running -4.3 degrees here in the metro.

Rapid City climate data

Our persistent northwest flow has put Rapid City on the warm side of the polar front jet stream, while dealing us arctic air.

Get set for one more shot of arctic air this weekend. It will not be quite as bad as a week ago, but it will get your attention. At least the bracing northwest winds and nearly pure arctic air will improve our air quality. Light winds and stagnant air have allowed pollutants to build up this week.

Real time Minnesota air quality

There are signs of milder temps returning later next week.

PH

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Comments (1)

Rapid City and the area around it in the northern High Plains have also lost a lot of snow cover due to warm (enough) temperatures there and due to sublimation and chinook winds. That lack of snow cover has allowed them to get quite warm.

Posted by Chris B. Critter | January 26, 2009 6:43 AM

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