Wait, What? Are Those 60s in the Southern Minnesota Forecast?

Yes it's been a historically warm and dry winter in Minnesota. So much so that its a little weird calling it winter, but that's what the calendar says so we'll go with it.

We've had a record number of 50 degree highs during the winter of 2023-24, but before the season is over, it looks like we'll notch a 60 degree reading or two across the area.

NOAA's 8 to 14 day outlook has southern Minnesota in the bullseye for the highest probability for above normal temperatures through the first week of March.

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The average high in southern Minnesota for the second half of February is around 29.

The Weather Channel's 14-Day Forecast for Owatonna

• WED 2/21: Partly cloudy, High 50.⬅️❗
• THU 2/22: Partly cloudy, High 46.
• FRI 2/23: Partly cloudy, High 31.
• SAT 2/24: Mostly sunny, High 48.
• SUN 2/25: Sunny, High 53.⬅️❗
• MON 2/26: Partly cloudy, High 62.⬅️❗
• TUE 2/27: Partly cloudy, High 51.⬅️❗
• WED 2/28: Partly cloudy, High 32.
• THU 2/29: Partly cloudy, High 46.
• FRI 3/1: Mostly sunny, High 54.⬅️❗
• SAT 3/2: Partly cloudy, High 55.⬅️❗
• SUN 3/3: Partly cloudy, High 47.
• MON 3/4: AM Snow showers, High 45.

We have not seen a winter like this one in 145 years. 1877-1878 was the only other time on record when winter in Minnesota was so nonexistent. Meteorological winter runs from December 1st through the end of February, which means we're only 15 days away from the start of meteorological spring.

According to Minnesota's State Climatology Office, most of the state has had less that 25% of normal snowfall. In addition to the lack of snow, temperature records have been breaking left and right this winter.

Most areas in the state have seen 20-55 days since December 1st with no snow on the ground.

Rochester has seen 11 days with highs above 50 so far this winter, and the Twin Cities have had thirteen (that's a new record too). Both Rochester and the Twin Cities have set 6 new record high temps, and Rochester has set 5 new record high overnight lows, while the Twin Cities did that 7 times.