A light dusting of snow possible Overnight for some parts of the Northland.

Issued at 8:24 PM CST, Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

• Above average temperatures thru Friday
• A few weak systems with dustings of snow possible into the weekend
• Colder temperatures arrive on Saturday and Sunday

Weather Tidbits:

*January 2012 looks like it will go down as the 7th consecutive month with an above average temperature and the 5th consecutive month with below average precipitation at Duluth, Minnesota.

*Precipitation deficit thru January 23rd is up to 5.47" at Duluth, Minnesota.

*42.2" of snow has fallen so far this month at Marquette, Michigan vs. 2.7" at Duluth, Minnesota.

Seasonal snowfall update: 

Note:  First number is the amount of snow that has fallen thru January 23rd.  The second number is the departure from average.

Duluth, Minnesota:  14.5"/-34.4"
International Falls, Minnesota:  30.3"/-12.4"
Twin Cities, Minnesota:  14.4"/-16.1"
St. Cloud, Minnesota:  12.8"/-13.3"
Grand Forks, North Dakota:  10.3"/-15.8"
Eau Claire, Wisconsin:  14.4"/-11.2"
Green Bay, Wisconsin:  12.9"/-14.0"
Marquette, Michigan:  87.6"/-17.9"

Today's Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin

Partly to mostly cloudy skies were common with above average temperatures.  Highs were in the middle 20s to lower 30s with winds from the south or west at under 15 mph.

Today's Upper Level Analysis:

W/SW 500mb flow covered the Upper Midwest per RUC model analysis and water vapor satellite imagery.  Strong upper level low over Southeastern New Mexico was churning slowly toward the east...This system was bringing widespread rainfall to Texas and Oklahoma Today.  Another system was affecting the Pacific Northwest as a powerful 130-150+ knot upper level jet slams into the Northwest U.S.  Most of the Northern tier of the U.S. was void of any real cold air with 850mb temperatures as of 8pm ranging from +1 degree C in Southern Minnesota to -2 to -6 degrees C in Northern Minnesota.  The coldest air has moved into Eastern Canada where 850mb temps ranged from -12 to -16 degrees C per RUC model analysis.

Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin

Tonight (January 24th)

A weak disturbance will pass through the Upper Midwest and could bring some flurries or light snow showers to portions of our area...Any accumulations would be minor and remain around one half inch or less.  Note:  The potential also exists for some patchy light freezing drizzle, mainly in Southern portions of the area from Brainerd to Hinckley.  Lows Tonight under partly to mostly cloudy skies will be in the teens and 20s, but some single digits are possible in spots that have mostly clear skies for a couple hours.  Winds Tonight will be out of the west or south at under 15 mph.

Wednesday and Wednesday Night (January 25th)

An area of low pressure will be centered to our northwest during this period.  Some flurries or snow showers are possible early Tomorrow Morning...And then again Wednesday Night, mainly in the Northern part of Minnesota.  Highs on Wednesday will be in the 20s and 30s with lows Wednesday Night in the teens and 20s.  Winds will be from the south or west at 10 to 20 mph.

Extended Forecast (January 26th-28th)

Thursday will remain mild with highs in the 20s and 30s.  Looks a bit cooler on Friday with highs generally in the 20s.  Colder air (more seasonal temps) will move into the area on Saturday with highs in the teens and 20s.  Lows Thursday Night and Friday Night will be in the teens with some single digits possible in Northern Minnesota.  Could be dealing with a bit of snow late this week into Saturday as weak systems continue to pass through the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, none of these disturbances look very strong at this time so nothing more than a dusting of snow is expected.

Long Range Forecast (January 29th-February 4th)

The coldest stretch of weather is forecasted to occur this weekend before temperatures moderate from January 31st-February 4th.  Pattern continues to look unfavorable for any big storm systems for the Upper Midwest into early February.

Note:  Map below is the 6-10 day temperature outlook from the Climate Prediction Center.  Valid from Jan. 30th-Feb.3rd.




5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR

.Tonight...  Considerable cloudiness.  Flurries or snow showers possible Overnight.  Low 12 to 17.  Wind southwest around 12 mph.

.Wednesday...  Flurries possible.  Partly sunny.  High 28 to 33.  Wind south to southwest at 10 to 15 mph.

.Wednesday Night...  Partly cloudy.  Low 20 to 25.  Wind southwest at 10 to 15 mph.

.Thursday...  Variable cloudiness.  Flurries possible.  High 30 to 35.

.Thursday Night...  Partly to mostly cloudy.  Low 13 to 18.

.Friday...  Mostly cloudy.  High 25 to 30.

.Friday Night...  Mostly cloudy.  Snow showers or flurries possible.  Low 10 to 15.

.Saturday...  Flurries possible.  Partly sunny.  High 15 to 20.

Normal temperatures for Tomorrow

High:  19
Low:    1

Sunrise Wednesday:  7:41 AM CST
Sunset Wednesday:   5:01 PM CST

Tim