February to end mild

It’s been no secret that this winter as a whole has been mild for Minnesota and Iowa’s standards. That looks to be no different looking ahead into the second half of February.

The average temperature through the first half of the month in Rochester has been 35.5° which is 19.0° above average with every day this month so far finishing above average.

Although there will be a brief setback on Friday as polar air settles in, it’ll be short-lived as the mild winter weather returns and looks to stay through at least the end of the month.

High temperatures next week return to the 40s through at least Thursday with some communities possibly seeing some 50s on Wednesday. Temperatures will dial back a bit by the end of next week, but still will be well above average with highs in the 30s and 40s.

The Climate Prediction Center has a high probability of above average temperatures as February comes to a close.