Cold bias next two weeks, Boston records fall

You knew we wouldn't get off that easy this winter.

After two months of milder than average temperatures to start meteorological winter, it appears February is determined to come in colder than average across Minnesota.

• +5.1 degrees vs. average in December at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

• +3.4 degrees vs. average in January at MSP

• -0.5 degrees vs. average so far in February at MSP

Indeed, the forecast for the next two weeks favors a cold bias for Minnesota and the eastern U.S.

That puts us into the last days of February. It looks likely that February will be the only month this meteorological winter (Dec-Feb) to go down colder than average in Minnesota.

Today's cold front is the appetizer. Here's a look at the next purple blob spreading south from Minnesota eastward with the next (stronger) arctic front this weekend from Climate Reanalyzer.

A cold Minnesota and eastern U.S. in a warm world? Where have I seen this movie before?

Here's a more detailed look at temperatures the next few days as two cold fronts move in.

Yes, we rack up a couple more sub-zero nights in the metro and most of Minnesota in the next week. Temps recover briefly Friday, before this weekend's arctic assault.

Still, we're getting off easy on extreme cold compared to last winter.

• 16 days at or below zero this winter so far

• 43 days at or below zero last winter by this date

Boston: Records tumble

Boston and New England continue to be ground zero for "stormageddon" this winter. Check out the growing list of falling records as the city digs out from 72.6 inches of snowfall in the past month.

Yes, there is more snow in the forecast. At least three more weather systems will drop snow in Boston in the next week. The next system has mercifully edged a little more offshore, and that should keep snowfall totals down.

Just where do you put 6 feet of snow? That's a big issue in Boston right now. How about dumping some of that snow in Boston Harbor.

Vox has more.

 There's now so much snow that the city has run out of places to put it, Mayor Martin Walsh told the Boston Globe. The lots where the city's bulldozers normally take the plowed snow are completely full. Sidewalks and roads are clogged: So Walsh has offered up a controversial suggestion — let's dump some of the snow in Boston Harbor.

Normally, dumping plowed snow into waterways is considered a bad idea. After all, the snow that's been on roads and highways is filthy. It's mixed with chemical-laced road salt, motor oil, dog poop, trash. Not only that, but some of the snow could potentially freeze in chunks and threaten boat traffic.

The EPA doesn't regulate it, but state agencies often recommend against dumping snow in rivers or oceans. Massachusetts state law forbids coastal towns from doing so — unless the snow threatens public safety and they get an emergency waiver. There's a reason for this: Boston Harbor was notoriously polluted and overrun by sewage for many decades and the state had to spend billions cleaning it up.

Clearly we won't see baseball at Fenway anytime soon.

The good news? Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in six days.