Photo: Laura Durenberger-Grunow 

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 20, 2024


The winter season over the past few years has been anything but "normal". 2022-2023 broke records for the wettest winter, with areas in Cook County receiving over 100" of snow throughout the season. The 2023-2024 season also broke records, but for the complete opposite reason: warm temperatures and lack of snow. Most areas across the state experienced the warmest winter on record from December 2023 to February 2024 (meteorological winter). 

The warm weather and lack of snow caused many cancellations across Cook County and the rest of NE Minnesota, including the Beargrease and Gunflint Mail Run dogsled races in January, and the Pincushion Winter Snow Festival in February. Golfers in Minnesota were playing golf in February, the MN DNR had to issue road and trail closures due to warm temperatures, and the Great Lakes experienced an all-time low percentage of ice coverage. 

The abnormal weather also impacted many businesses and organizations that rely on visitors and community members who love to play in the snow. This led to some getting extra creative, including Hungry Jack Lodge, who plowed an ice skating rink around the lake.

With such extremes, many may be wondering what is in store for us for the 24-25 season. Last week, NOAA released its updated temperature and precipitation forecast from December 2024 to February 2025. 

 Image: NOAA

NOAA predicts equal chances for above or below temperatures for most of Minnesota, including Cook County. 

 Image: NOAA

Snow lovers may be more excited about the precipitation forecast, with NOAA predicting a 40-50% chance of above-average totals. 

Not to be outdone, the Farmers' Almanac, which has been providing weather predictions and guidance for over 200 years, has also released its upcoming winter season forecast, which they are calling "wet, winter, whirlwind". 

 Image: Farmer's Almanac

For all of Minnesota, cold temperatures and average snowfall are predicted for the season starting on December 21, 2024 (or the winter solstice). They are predicting that La Nina (periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific), which has been impacting our weather patterns all year, will develop and be present. 

The Farmers' Alamanc is specifically forecasting a "red flag" week during the end of January due to an especially active storm track that could bring lots of snow and frigid temperatures to the region. 

Of course, what will really happen is anyone's guess.