It comes down to this...![]()
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According to the National Weather Service, a "white Christmas" is defined as having at least 1 inch of snow on the ground at a specific location on Christmas morning, typically at 7 a.m.![]()
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We had above freezing temperatures today leading to snow melt, and more melt is expected tomorrow as well. Come Thursday, it's possible some areas of the county, or even city, will melt enough snow to make it a 'blue Christmas', well, for snow-lovers that is. Do you think you'll have enough snow on the ground at your location to make your Christmas officially white? Let us know what you think!![]()
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Including our 3 inches of snow measurement last year, statistically speaking, 73 percent of our Christmases have been white.![]()
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Whether or not our Christmas is white this year, it's been a privilege being a trusted resource for you. Season's Greetings, and have a very prosperous new year!
It's 23 degrees this morning at 5:20 am in Faribault. Relative humidity is 86 percent, and we've had a trace of precipitation. The barometric pressure is slowly rising.![]()
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In 1996, heavy snow blanketed much of southern and central Minnesota, with 10 inches reported in Jordan and 6 to 8 inches across the Twin Cities metro area. The record high for today was 62 degrees in 1923, while the record low was a frigid -28 degrees in 1983. In 1990, the high only reached -11 degrees. A 'warm spell' was reported at Ft. Snelling in 1833, reaching 45 degrees.![]()
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After a wintry start to the week, things are expected to be much quieter and generally warmer for the remainder of the week. Today will be the coldest of the next five days, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 31 degrees in Rice County. Light northwest winds will make it feel a bit colder. Temperatures will run well above normal through Saturday, with highs in the mid to upper 30s for Christmas Day and even lower 40s possible Friday and Saturday. Our current snow pack is expected to melt, making a White Christmas in Rice County uncertain, as it depends on whether we hold onto at least an inch through Christmas Eve.![]()
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Our next chance for precipitation arrives Thursday night and into Friday morning. A low pressure system will bring moisture into the region. While precipitation will be lighter, a layer of warmer air aloft means rain or freezing rain is likely for portions of Minnesota, including Rice County. It doesn't take much freezing rain to lead to significant impacts on travel, so a slick commute is possible Friday morning. Please be aware of this potential hazard and plan accordingly.![]()
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Mild conditions continue through Saturday. Colder air then arrives Sunday and early next week, with highs on Sunday struggling to warm out of the teens, and lows likely in the single digits Sunday night. However, milder temperatures are expected to return by early next week, and we're likely to stay relatively dry through the end of the year.![]()
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A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Rice County until 8:00 AM this morning, Monday, December 22nd. A dangerous wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and some snow has created hazardous travel conditions across south-central Minnesota, including Rice County, for the Monday morning commute.![]()
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Current conditions in Faribault at 5:05 AM show 34 degrees with a wind chill of 26 degrees. The relative humidity is 81 percent. Winds are from the south-southeast at 10 mph, and the barometric pressure is falling rapidly. Light ice and snow accumulations are expected this morning, with new snow up to half an inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze.![]()
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Road reports from 4:55 AM indicate significant issues. Ice has been reported on Minnesota Highway 60 between Waterville and Faribault, and on Minnesota Highway 246 between Northfield and Kenyon, and on Minnesota Highway 19 between Lonsdale and Interstate 35. Light slush is on Interstate 35 south of Medford and north of Webster, and on Minnesota Highway 21 from Faribault to Shieldsville, and on Minnesota Highway 3 from Faribault to Webster, and on Minnesota Highway 60 from Faribault to Kenyon, and on Minnesota Highway 19 from Interstate 35 to Northfield. MORE CRITICALLY, travel is not advised on Minnesota Highway 21 between Shieldsville and Lonsdale, and on Minnesota Highway 99 between west of Kilkenny and Shieldsville. State snowplows are out in the area.![]()
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This wintry mix is due to thermal profiles being warm enough that most snow is melting to rain before reaching the surface, with temperatures near or just below freezing creating ice. The advisory is expected to expire by mid-morning as this band of showers moves out of Minnesota.![]()
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After this slick start, much drier and milder weather is expected for the rest of the week. Temperatures are forecast to be above normal, with highs above freezing. Christmas Day could see even warmer temperatures, with snow-free areas potentially reaching near 50 degrees, while areas with snow cover will be in the upper 30s to near 40. A chance for some mixed precipitation exists late Christmas Day into Friday, but significant amounts are not expected.![]()
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On this day in Minnesota weather history, the record high for December 22 was 46 degrees in 1918. The record low was -23 degrees back in 1989, which also saw a high of only -12 degrees. In 2000, Minneapolis experienced a high of zero degrees and a low of 14 below.
It's a very cold 4 degrees at 7:45 am in Faribault today, with 83 percent relative humidity and steady barometric pressure. As we welcome the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, we begin to gain daylight for the next six months!![]()
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On this day, December 21st, Minnesota has seen a record high of 52 degrees in 1941 and a record low of -30 degrees in 1983. In 1993, strong northwest winds gusting to 35 miles an hour caused near whiteout conditions across southern Minnesota. This led to several car accidents and a fatality, a powerful reminder of winter's dangers.![]()
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Increasing clouds this afternoon will bring a chance of snow, sleet, and freezing rain later tonight into Monday morning. Forecast models show some variability in precipitation amounts and types, as a layer of warmer air aloft could mean more snow or freezing rain. Expect liquid amounts of a few hundredths to a tenth of an inch, potentially leading to a light glaze of ice from freezing rain and sleet, and perhaps a half inch of snow, but I wouldn't hold your breath on the snow part. Any ice and snow will be light, but plan for potential travel impacts to the Monday morning commute. This is not expected to be a major disruptive event.![]()
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Mild temperatures are expected to build through the week, peaking around Christmas Day across the Upper Midwest. This marks a third consecutive Christmas with temperatures well above normal, potentially reaching the upper 40s or low 50s without lingering snowpack. Generally dry conditions are anticipated through mid-week.![]()
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Visit skywarn.us/podcast for our Rice County Skywarn up-to-the-minute Podcast for a great 2 or 3 minute, hands-off listening experience! You will hear everything you need to know weather-wise to get you through your day. Install our SKYWARN app from there to easily access both the podcast and our streaming channel!
It's 21 degrees in Faribault at 6 am, with a wind chill of 15 degrees. Winds are light out of the south-southwest at 5 mph, and relative humidity is 85 percent. The barometric pressure is rising rapidly. High temperatures will occur by sunrise and fall to around 20 degrees by 5 pm, with mostly cloudy skies gradually clearing today. Light snow is possible across central Minnesota this morning, but much may evaporate before reaching the ground due to dry air. By late morning, any lingering snow chances will move east out of our area.![]()
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Tonight will be cold, with temperatures at or below zero. Expect a 20 percent chance of light snow overnight, with a steady temperature near 26 degrees and west winds around 10 mph. Light winds should keep wind chills in the single digits below zero. Our next chance for light snow arrives Sunday night into early Monday. This system is not expected to be strong, meaning light accumulations. While models favor Wisconsin for precipitation, we cannot rule out eastern Minnesota. Due to warmer air layers in predictions, snow is favored, but if these layers are warmer than expected, freezing rain could be a concern.![]()
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A gradual warm-up is expected through Monday, leading into a prolonged warm and dry period for the holidays. By Christmas Day, temperatures at 5,000 feet are forecast to be well above normal, potentially reaching 59 to 68 degrees . Ground temperatures in Rice County could reach lower to mid-40s if snowpack remains, or even approach 50 degrees if the snowpack melts.![]()
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On December 20th historically, a record high of 69 degrees was recorded in 1923, and a record low of -35 degrees in 1983. In 1989, snow cover was scarce across most of Minnesota.![]()
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Please visit our website at skywarn.us where you'll always find the latest local, weather updates, and more about our Rice County Skywarn Program!
Our mission is to be a leading volunteer weather spotting group not only in Minnesota, but in all the upper-midwest. We do this by providing timely, meaningful reports of severe weather to local government decision-makers, and to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, MN.![]()
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Our secondary mission is to reach out to all residents of Rice County through social media and cooperation with local media, to help educate and inform the public about all forms of severe weather.![]()
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We feel that with every passing year, we come closer to fulfilling our goals.![]()
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To our 16,400 followers on Facebook, 5,835 followers on Snapchat, 1,600 followers on Instagram, and nearly 500 followers on TikTok, have a fantastic holiday season, and hopes for a prosperous new year. We'll be right here to assist you again next year.
It's a chilly -3 degrees in Faribault this Friday morning, December 19th. Wind chill values as low as -15 degrees are possible. The latest reports indicate light ice on Minnesota Highway 60 between Waterville and Faribault, with state snowplows out heading north near Millersburg, and heading east on Highway 21 near Faribault. Please exercise caution.![]()
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Today will be partly sunny with a high near 23 degrees. While temperatures will recover after sunrise, it will still feel very cold. Tonight, a 20 percent chance of snow after 3 AM exists. Winds could gust up to 30 mph tonight, becoming west after midnight.![]()
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Temperatures will peak near freezing early Saturday before a cold front moves through, bringing much colder air back Saturday night. Lows will drop to near zero to 10 below zero. However, this cold air won't linger. Sunday's high temperatures will be near-normal, and warmer air moving in Sunday evening into Sunday night could lead to another round of light precipitation, though models are less certain about this system at the moment.![]()
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The remainder of the forecast period through the Christmas holiday will be dominated by mild Pacific air, bringing above normal temperatures. This will lead to another thaw and snow melting, along with drier conditions. It's a stark contrast to some historical December 19ths in Minnesota. In 1983, record lows plummeted to -52 in Mora and -36 in Faribault. In 1923, New Ulm saw unseasonably mild 60s. We recorded 0.2 inches of snow on this specific day in 2024.![]()
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Did you know we now track local Rice County highway conditions? They are at the bottom of our Weather Dashboard at skywarn.us/radar and the scroller on our streaming channel at skywarn.us/streaming.
The National Weather Service has issued a BLIZZARD WARNING for all of Rice County, effective from 4:40 PM until 10:00 PM this evening. Additionally, a WIND ADVISORY is in effect for all of Rice County, effective from 12:00 PM today until 9:00 PM this evening.![]()
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Under the BLIZZARD WARNING, blizzard conditions are possible, with additional snow accumulations up to one inch and winds that may gust as high as 50 mph. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, may become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow, with possible whiteout conditions making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Slippery road conditions are possible, and areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, possibly impacting the evening commute. Gusty winds could also bring down tree branches. For the WIND ADVISORY, northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are possible. These gusty winds may blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.![]()
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Given these hazardous conditions, planning for slippery road conditions is advised. Secure any loose outdoor objects that may be affected by gusty winds. Travel may become difficult or dangerous, especially during possible whiteout conditions.![]()
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Keep watching Rice County Skywarn on social media for updates, and check out our Streaming Channel at skywarn.us/streaming for up-to-the-minute weather radar and announcements. Only able to listen? Check out our podcast at skywarn.us/podcast.
BREAKING @ 4:40 p.m.: TRAVEL IS NO LONGER ADVISED on any Interstate or State Highway in Rice County, with the exception of a small stretch of Highway 21 and 99 west of Shieldsville to Montgomery and LeCenter. If you must travel, BE SURE you have an emergency travel kit and warm clothing with you. PLEASE SHARE this post.
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