Welcome to the hottest January 31st on record in at least 150 years.
The temperature in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport surpassed the previous record high of 46 degrees before noon Wednesday. As of this hour after noon, the temperature is already 48 degrees in the Twin Cities.
It's already 54 degrees in Madison in southwest Minnesota near the Buffalo Ridge.
Weather conditions in Madison, Minn., at noon Wednesday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Some cities in southwest Minnesota could reach 60 degrees Wednesday afternoon.
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Our record warmth to close out January is part of the warmest winter on record for most Minnesota locations. The Midwest Regional Climate Center continues to show many Minnesota locations recording their warmest winter on record.
Accumulated winter season severity index
Midwest Regional Climate Center
Here is the Twin Cities chart:
Twin Cities Cumulative Winter Severity Index
Midwest Regional Climate Center
Temperatures will drop slightly the rest of this week, but will still hover around 20 degrees above average.
Highs through this weekend will favor mid-40s south with 30s north.
High temperatures are expected on Thursday
NOAA
The first week of February looks likely to be about 20 degrees warmer than average. Mid-range forecast maps indicate we may have a few more seasonal air masses here after this.
Stay tuned.
