Cool breezes, warm hearts today; record warmth ahead
My MPR News colleague Morning Edition Host Cathy Wurzer likes it warm. Cathy seemed a little happier than usual on our morning weather chat today. The forecast for "Wurzer Weather" in February may have put a little extra spring in her step today.
Forecast models continue to crank out some unusual, even unnerving temperatures for February as we approach this weekend. But first, a brief 48-hour cold front.
The forecast for this Valentine's Day? Cold breezes and warm hearts.
'Average front'
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A "back door" cool front blows south across Minnesota on the maps today. But coll front this month are really closer to average fronts. Temperatures fall closer to average the next 48 hours, but still run a good 5 to 10 degrees above averages. The next warm front develops in the Dakotas Thursday.
Thursday: Extreme February warmth kicks in
Temps begin in the chilly teens Thursday morning. But balmy breezes kick in and last right through next Tuesday. Highs in the 50s, and possibly even 60s brush southern Minnesota in the days surrounding this weekend.
Overnight minimums could stay above freezing from Friday into Tuesday morning. That's almost unheard of in February.
Temperature numbers run "off the charts warm" from Thursday through next Tuesday. Cooler weather appears as we approach the opening days of March, but temps in the 40s are still above average!
Records will fall
Right now I'd say record highs for Friday, Sunday and Monday are quite possibly about to be broken.
The early read for the American Birkebeiner the weekend of Feb. 25 favors highs in the 30s and lows below freezing around Cable and Hayward, Wis. Stay tuned.
Major NWS data outage Monday
Date stopped flowing across National Weather Service platforms for several hours Monday. The glitch appears to be satellite related. Scary, but they got it fixed.
Lake Oroville Dam stress test continues
California's epic winter rainfall and snow has pushed the dam at Lake Oroville to the limit. Ten to 20 inches of rain has fallen since Jan. 1. Another 5 to 10 inches is on the way in a series of storms this week.
Water levels on Lake Oroville have been dropping, but the "stress test" is not over.
La La Land deluge ahead
The inbound systems will impact southern California in the coming days. Two to 4 inches of rain are likely in the Los Angeles area by the weekend.
Stay tuned.