Minnesota: 60 degrees colder than Alaska!

If you heard the "sonic booms" in your house this morning, you'e not alone.

This winter's cold in Minnesota is literally going out with a bang. The severe temperature changes cause moisture in the lumber in your home to expand and contract, and the result can be loud pops and bangs in your roof and walls.

Coldest in the northern hemisphere?

It looks like Minnesota may have had bragging rights for the coldest air in the northern hemisphere Thursday Morning. Check out some of these numbers.

-37 The temperature in Embarrass, MN

-28 In Iqaluit on baffin Island, Canada inside the Arctic Circle

+9 in Novosibirsk, Siberia

+12 in Fairbanks, Alaska

It was nearly 60 degrees warmer in Fairbanks, Alaska than in Embarrass, Minnesota this morning! Ouch.

The arctic high pressure center over Minnesota responsible for the bitter cold is the coldest air mass on the northern hemisphere of the planet today. Only Antarctica is colder.

Pacific Transfusion set to begin:

This is it. Rock bottom. Temperatures are already in the 20s above zero in Montana, and that milder air will push east into Minnesota on Friday. Temperatures should reach 30+ degrees in much of Minnesota Saturday. With temperatures observed at -30 Thursday morning, It could be 40 to 60 degrees warmer in much of Minnesota by Saturday afternoon!

Long duration thaw:

The coming thaw will have staying power. It looks like much of Minnesota will see 5 to 7 days in a row with temperatures above freezing. The season's first 40s could pop up next week, and nighttime lows may stay above freezing!

Windshield washer fluid alert:

Check the tank on your windshield washer fluid, there's going to be a major slush alert in the coming week as temperatures above freezing melt snow, and create new rivers and lakes in your favorite roadway.

PH