7 daily warmth records already smashed this year in Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twin Cities set another daily record high on Thursday, just minutes into the afternoon. And then proceeded to break another record later on. In all, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says that at least four standing records have been broken in the last four days.
By 12:03 p.m. Thursday, the temperature hit 51 degrees, surpassing the old high of 50, set in 2002. The temperature topped out at 53.
This marks the seventh record temperature in 2024. Going back to Christmas Eve 2023, the Twin Cities have seen 11 record-warmth temperatures in 47 days:
- Dec. 24, 2023: Record high (55) and low (45)
- Dec. 25: Record high (54) and low (42)
- Jan. 26, 2024: Record-warm low (35)
- Jan. 29: Record high (50)
- Jan. 31: Record high (55)
- Feb. 6: Record high (57)
- Feb. 7: Record-warm low (39)
- Feb. 8: Record high (53) and low (36)
The Twin Cities has also seen a record high number of 50+ degree days this wintertime (13). That surpasses the eight recorded during the winter of 1980-1981. There's also been a record number of lows above freezing, with 13 — two more than the winter of 1877-1878, which is the warmest winter on record in the Twin Cities. The area averaged 29 degrees between the months of December and February that winter. Though there are still 20 days left in this winter, the Twin Cities are currently averaging 2.5 degrees warmer than 1877-1878.
Cooler air did ultimately move in starting Thursday, halting the record temperatures for the time being, but highs will still be above average into next week.