Yes, it's been the cloudiest January in recent history

Clouds continue the next few days, with a chance for widespread light snow Thursday into Friday. By the weekend, temperatures soar and a little more sunshine returns.

Sunshine has been scarce!

If you feel likely we’ve been exceptionally cloudy through January, it is not your imagination. According to the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus Climate Observatory, “January 2020 has had the least amount of solar radiation for a January since solar radiation records began” in 1963. Here is their graph comparing Jan. 1-27 over time, showing 2020 as the lowest point in their almost 60 years of records:

Translation: we haven’t seen much sun this month, and it is likely we’ll finish out the month just as cloudy.

Wednesday’s forecast

The recent cloudiness we’ve been dealing with is due to stable air combining with low-level moisture creating a broad layer of stratus clouds. This is what has produced periods of fog and drizzle, and it’s still producing some flurries as well, especially for northern Minnesota. By Wednesday afternoon, a little freezing drizzle could also fall in northwestern Minnesota, so watch for isolated slick spots.

Temperatures will return to slightly above average on Wednesday, with most of the state seeing highs in the 20s.

More fog and freezing fog could develop overnight Wednesday, especially for the southern half of Minnesota, so be prepared for possible slow areas Thursday morning.

Upcoming precipitation

A more widespread snow chance moves through Minnesota Thursday evening through early Friday as an area of low pressure moves across the state.

Accumulation will be very light, with most of the state seeing well under one inch of snow.

There could also be some light freezing rain mix due to rising temperatures.

Over the weekend northern Minnesota, especially the Arrowhead, sees light snow chances. The rest of the state finally sees the return of some sunshine by the weekend.

Temperatures

Temperatures rise slightly both Wednesday and Thursday, and by Friday, it is likely the entire state will see highs back in the 30s. The weekend will be very warm for early February, with southern parts of Minnesota possibly in the 40s by Sunday. Here is the expected temperature trend for the Twin Cities with highs in red and lows in blue:

Low temperatures also remain very mild; in fact our morning lows could be so warm on Sunday morning, it’s not out of the question we could set a couple record “high minimum” temperatures across the state.

The warmth will be short-lived however. By the middle of next week, temperatures return back to average for early February.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.