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Coldest Day of the Year on Sunday?
"This Sunday is forecast to be the first Valentine's Day since 1923 with a sub-zero high temperature. One of the models we use is trying to send us some love."
See more from the NWS Twin Cities HERE:
Coldest Valentine's Day at MSP?
Sunday will be a very cold day with subzero highs likely across much of the region, including the Twin Cities. If the current forecast holds, this will likely be the coldest Valentine's Day on record at MSP, surpassing the -5F record cold high set in 1920.
20 Coldest Valentine's Day Highs at MSP
Here's a look at the 20 coldest high temps recorded at MSP on Valentines day. Note that there have only been 2 subzero highs on record and this Sunday could be the 3rd. If the current forecast holds of -6F, this will be the coldest Valentine's Day at MSP on record!
Coldest Air of the Season This Weekend
The core of the Arctic air will settle south of the international border this weekend with Minneapolis seeing the coldest air of the season on Sunday. Note that the frigid air will slide all the way south to Texas and the Gulf Coast States, where an historic winter storm is expected to develop this weekend and early next week.
Active Advisory Map
Take a look at the National Advisory Map from Friday. Note that there were winter weather headlines from coast to coast and from the Canadian border to the Gulf Coast. You don't see advisory maps quite as busy as this... From extreme cold, to heavy snow, icing and even flooding rains, most folks around the nation will be dealing with some type of extreme weather over the next several days.
Historic Winter Storm in the South
"HISTORIC WINTER STORM POISED TO IMPACT THE DALLAS / FT. WORTH REGION SUNDAY AND MONDAY... Impacts will begin as early as Saturday morning with patchy freezing drizzle developing late tonight into Saturday morning, which will lead to a light glaze of ice in some locations. After a brief break in precipitation on Saturday, conditions will begin to deteriorate late Saturday evening, with precipitation transitioning from a sleet and freezing rain mix to all snow by Sunday. The heaviest snow can be expected on Sunday and Monday. High winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow with wind chills falling to below zero by late Sunday. Snow will come to an end during the day Monday, but extremely cold temperatures will persist through mid-week. The heavy snow and forecast long duration of extremely cold temperatures will likely lead to major stress on the region`s infrastructure as well as crippling travel for several days."
Snowfall Potential Through Midday Monday
Heavy snow will fall across parts of the Central and Southern Plains with several inches of plowable amounts. This will be a significant storm that will cause significant travel impacts for many in the Deep South through early next week.
Icing Potential Through PM Monday
There will also be heavy icing potential across the Gulf Coast States and even along the coast. This will be a pretty rare event with winter weather headlines being posted as far south as the Gulf Coast.
Extended Temperature Outlook
Here's the extended weather outlook for Minneapolis through the middle part of next week. Note that temperatures will stay VERY chilly with readings running nearly -20F to -35F below average. This will be the longest and coldest stretch of winter. It does appear that there will be some improvement as into the 2nd half of the month. Highs in the teens late next week could feel quite amazing after being so cold for so long.
Wednesday Weather Outlook
Here's the weather outlook for Minneapolis on Saturday. It'll be another cold day with highs struggling to get above 0F by the afternoon. Northwesterly winds at 5-10mph will keep wind chill values in the subzero range all day.
Saturday Meteograms for Minneapolis
The meteograms for Minneapolis on Saturday show very cold conditions through the day with feels like temps staying in the teens below zero. The actual air temperature may climb to near 0F, but the NW wind of 10mph to 15mph through the day will make it feel even colder.
Saturday Weather Outlook
Here's the weather outlook across the region for Saturday, which shows temperatures running well below average. In fact, many locations will be nearly -25F to -23F below normal with some folks across northern MN staying below zero.
Extended Temperature Outlook
Here's the ECMWF & GFS extended temperature outlook for Minneapolis through the 3rd week of February. Note that temperature readings will still be running well below average through early next week. The good news is that the deep freeze looks to ease late next week with highs approaching the freezing mark by next weekend!
8-14 Day Temperature Outlook
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook suggests warmer than average temperatures returning to the Upper Midwest by the last week of February.
This Weekend is Peak Winter Nationwide
By Paul Douglas
One of these years we should take a stretch of I-94 and install in-road charging coils to power electric vehicles. While you're at it, include heating coils - all powered by (free) solar power and energy storage (big batteries). Charge a toll for the privilege of charging vehicles on ice-free roads. Would someone invent that please?
The horrific 100-vehicle crash that killed 6 people in Fort Worth was a reminder of the perils of glaze ice. I don't care what you're driving or how good your tires are; nothing helps with ice.
As much as we gripe about snow removal, we are light years ahead of most other states. While we submit to arctic forces beyond our control into Monday, the main storm track will detour well to our south. Parts of Oklahoma may pick up 20" of snow, with 6" in Dallas, even an inch in Houston. Hilly Seattle may see 4-8" of slushy goodness. Misery loves company? Yep.
A subzero weekend gives way to a mild Pacific breeze by next weekend. I see a run of 30s the last week of February. Eureka!
Extended Forecast
SATURDAY: Feeling bitter right now. Winds: NW 5-10. High: 0.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear and col. Feels Like -35F. Winds: NW 5-10. Low: -16.
SUNDAY: Coldest day of Winter? Winds: NW 10-15. High: -6.
MONDAY: Blue sky, less wind. Winds: NW 3-8. Wake-up: -18. High: -2.
TUESDAY: Numb and Number. Sunny skies. Winds: SE 3-8. Wake-up: -13. High: 8.
WEDNESDAY: More clouds. The end is near. Winds: S 8-13. High: 11.
THURSDAY: Worst chill is over. Plenty of sunshine. Winds: SW 5-10. Wake-up: -4. High: 18.
FRIDAY: Cloudy. I can feel my toes again. Winds: SE 5-10. Wake-up: 4. High: 24.
This Day in Weather History
February 13th
1872: A snowstorm buries Sibley County with 12 foot drifts. Many people perished in the storm.
1866: What may be Minnesota's 'Greatest Blizzard.' It lasted for three days and buried barns in drifts. Luckily, it began at night when many people were at home.
1838: In the days before Tower…at 2:00 am the mercury thermometer at Ft. Snelling freezes at 40 below. The actual temperature is unknown.
Average High/Low for Minneapolis
February 13th
Average High: 28F (Record: 51F set in 1890)
Average Low: 12F (Record: -23F set in 1905)
Record Rainfall: 0.60" set in 1915
Record Snowfall: 5.2" set in 1909
Sunrise/Sunset Times for Minneapolis
February 13th
Sunrise: 7:16am
Sunset: 5:39pm
Hours of Daylight: ~10 hours & 22 minutes
Daylight GAINED since yesterday: ~ 2 minutes & 53 seconds
Daylight GAINED since Winter Solstice (December 21st): ~ 1 hour & 36 minutes
Moon Phase for February 13th at Midnight
2.5 Days Since New Moon
What's in the Night Sky?
"Are you an early riser? Depending on where you live worldwide, the planets Venus and Jupiter will pair up most closely in the morning sky on February 11 or 12, 2021. Although Venus and Jupiter rank as the third-brightest and fourth-brightest celestial bodies in all the heavens, respectively, after the sun and moon, their furtive rendezvous might elude detection in the morning twilight from mid-and-far northern latitudes. Plus, we give you warning: the conjunction will probably be much less obvious in the real sky than on our sky chart! If you see only one bright starlike object, it's most likely Venus, which outshines Jupiter by about 6 times. Do you have binoculars? If so, aim them at Venus to gaze at Jupiter snuggling up with Venus inside a single binocular field of view. At their conjunction, these two worlds are only be 0.4 degrees apart on the sky's dome. (For reference, the moon's angular diameter spans about 0.5 degree of sky.) We give you fair warning. The Southern Hemisphere enjoys the big advantage for viewing this spectacularly-close conjunction, and northerly latitudes may well miss out altogether (even if using an optical aid). We give you the approximate rising times for Venus, and nearby Jupiter, at various latitudes (given an absolutely level horizon):"
National High Temps Saturday
Here's a look at weather conditions across the nation on Saturday, which shows temps running well below average across much of the nation. Interestingly, a number of these temps in the Central US will be record cold high temps for Saturday.
National Forecast Map For Saturday
The weather map on Saturday shows messy weather conditions across the southern tier of the nation. Areas of rain, snow and ice will be possible in many locations. By Sunday, a major winter storm will unfold across the Central & Southern US.
National Weather Outlook
Here's the weather outlook through Sunday, which shows very active weather across the nation. A powerful Pacific storm system will push through the Rockies and move into the Southern US with widespread heavy snow and ice. This could be a crippling storm system for some as winter weather in these parts is quite rare.
7 Day Precipitation Outlook
The precipitation potential over the next 7 days shows heavier precipitation in the Southeastern US with several inches of rain and flooding possible across the Southeastern US. Meanwhile, areas of heavier precipitation, including heavy snow in the Western Mountains will be possible.
7 Day Snowfall Potential
The extended ECMWF snowfall forecast shows heavy snow continuing in the high elevations in the Western US, while another round of heavy snow will be possible in the Southern US and into the Northeast.
Climate Stories
"Scientists are developing a better alternative to road salt, inspired by nature"
"An alternative to road salts is needed during snowy or freezing weather. Road salt is not only expensive but can also damage roads and have a negative impact on nature. Scientists are working on creating synthetic versions of antifreeze proteins observed in fish, insects and even some plants. Many people associate a fresh snowfall with pleasures like hot chocolate and winter sports. But for city dwellers, it can also mean caked-on salt that sticks to shoes, clothing hems and cars. That's because as soon as the mercury dips below freezing and precipitation is in the forecast, local governments start spreading de-icing salts to keep roads from freezing over. These salts are typically a less-refined form of table salt, or sodium chloride, but can also include other compounds, such as magnesium chloride and potassium chloride. They work by lowering the freezing point of water."
"Tornado Preparedness 101, According to Meteorologist James Spann"
"One of the South's top meteorologists shares the facts (and dispels the myths) about keeping safe in bad weather. James Spann wishes you would forget about the tornado sirens and buy a weather radio. (And no, he doesn't sell them or endorse a particular brand.) Also, as his huge audience already knows, he wants you to "Respect the polygon!" The enormously popular chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham has devoted his entire career to keeping Southerners safe from severe weather, working at stations in several metro areas within his home state and even doing an award-winning stint in Dallas before returning to Alabama. He came to ABC 33/40 in the late 90s and has been there ever since, racking up prestigious national broadcasting awards and Emmys along the way. You have to glean most of that from his public bios, however, because Spann would rather talk about the weather. And for him, it's not idle chitchat—it's literally a life-and-death conversation. If you don't remember anything else, he says, remember this: Put yourself in a position to be warned."
See more from Southern Living HERE:
"Super High-Speed Footage Captures the Moment a Lightning Bolt Forms"
The video shows the electricity reaching from the sky and up from a lightning rod until a thin connection appears. Lightning bolts are synonymous with unbelievable speed. To understand how they form, scientists turned to super high-speed video and captured details in the microseconds before a lightning bolt appeared. The details appear in a study published on February 1 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. The high-speed video captured frames just 2.63 millionths of a second apart, Nicoletta Lanese reports for Live Science. The video shows the movement of electric charge stretching down from the sky and up from the ground. And for two frames, a thin thread of light connects the two. The observation is the first of its kind, and settles a controversy about lightning formation, Maria Temming reports for Science News.
See more from Smithsonian Mag HERE: