Minneapolis breaks warm-weather record set in 1936

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The unseasonably high temperature across the state set some new daily records in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.

The National Weather Service reports that the 52 degrees measured at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport about 2:45 p.m. Monday broke the previous record of 51 degrees set in 1936.

The 49 degrees measured in St. Cloud about 3 p.m. snapped an even older daily record. The weather service reports the previous high for Dec. 26 there was 48 degrees set in 1905.

In the meantime, a large winter rainstorm is hitting a good chunk of the Eastern U.S. today, bringing anywhere from a half-inch to an inch of rain to many parts of the region.

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The rain bands stretch from the Gulf Coast to Michigan and from Missouri to Virginia. Although most areas will get rain, inland areas from Cleveland to Buffalo and other parts of upstate New York will get some snow.

Most of the big cities along the Eastern Seaboard will see rain, but the storm will move quickly and should be off the map by early Wednesday.

Then, the action will shift to the Pacific Northwest, where a developing rainstorm will bring the first significant rain to that area in about a month.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)