Stratus Quo: Searching for sunlight in a cloudy January
Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. -Maya Angelou
If we could mine the silver linings in the clouds over Minnesota this month, we would all be rich indeed. It feels like we've been living in a fog tunnel this month. It's not your imagination, 18 of 26 days this month have been cloudy to mostly cloudy at MSP Airport.
The irony of a mild winter in Minnesota? Milder Pacific air masses contain more cloud promoting moisture. Throw in a big thaw and significant moisture from snow melt, and you've got the perfect recipe for a gray January.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The sun peeked out briefly in a few places over Minnesota Thursday.
We may see a few more fleeting glimpses of Sol Friday and Saturday. But overall our state of perpetual gray continues for a few more days. November is the cloudiest month on average in Minnesota with just 39% of possible sunshine. The good news? Average sunshine percentages increase now, and February produces 59% of possible sunshine on average. On paper.
Winter doldrums
The maps look quiet these days. No big storms or Arctic smacks are luring for the next week or two. Persistent northwest flow brings coolness and occasional snow flurries through the weekend. The next Clipper sails southeast on Monday. The best chance for accumulating snow favors northern Minnesota.
Gradually colder
Temperatures remain about 5 degrees warmer than average through this weekend, as odd as that is with a northwest wind this weekend. Monday looks like the warmest day with highs in the mid 30s. Temperatures gradually trend downward later next week, and signs of a potential sub-zero shot keep showing up the week of February 5th.
Here's the 15-day temperature outlook from Custom Weather.
The good news? A colder Arctic invasion should lead to increased sunshine as we head toward February.
Stories from the twitterverse
Changes in Canadian sea ice making things difficult for Arctic natives.
As the Arctic warms, changing sea ice patterns are creating a new and different environment.
Pre-approved science at EPA?
NPR reports on the latest plans at a Trump Administration EPA appear to include the political review of scientific papers before they are released to the public who paid for the research.
Scientists march on Wahsington D.C. gaining steam
Honestly, many scientists never though we'd live to see the day when taking to the streets to protect the integrity of science would be necessary. But we're clearly sailing in uncharted waters.
California drought eases
Atmospheric rivers have dumped incredible rain and snow on northern California this month. The drought is now over in the northern half of the Golden State.