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Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Paul Huttner

Milder temps moving in, Great Lakes ice cover nears record

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Breezy and eventually milder

Today's southerly breezes feel chilly, but eventually blow in milder air this afternoon. It's the first step in a warming trend that kicks in the next several days.

https://twitter.com/NWSTwinCities/status/441561294424924160/

Want some really warm air today? Just get in the car and drive about 4 to 6 hours west. Check out the temps out west,  courtesy of the National Weather Service in Aberdeen, S.D. Rapid City anyone?

aberdeen

The warming trend kicks in later today and into Friday morning. Cooler breezes return into Saturday, but temps rebound to higher levels as southwest breezes return Sunday and Monday; 40s should feel mighty nice!

709 kky
Image: Weatherspark

Great Lakes ice nears 1979 levels

It makes perfect sense. Throw the coldest winter in 35 years at the Upper Midwest and you get the greatest ice  cover in 35 years on the Great Lakes. A full 91.8 percent of the Great Lakes is now ice choked.

709 gl ice
Image: GLERL

Superior is over 95 percent ice covered now.

709 sup ice
Image: NOAA/National Ice Center

The ice is impressive, but has absolutely no reflection on climate change trends. It's a regional affect from a cold winter.

Lakes in Alaska have gone unfrozen this winter. Parts of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska are snow free. It's been the warmest winter on record in Las Vegas, Nev., and Tucson, Ariz. January was the fourth warmest month on record globally as we shivered in Minnesota.

It's tempting to say this cold winter in our backyard is a sign that argues against climate change. But it's like saying that because its peaceful in Minnesota there is no war anyplace on earth. We can't make accurate assumptions about the rest of the planet simply by what we can see outside our window.

Enjoy the warm up!