The first day of spring is only two weeks away and Mother Nature has some serious catching up to do.
The season of rain showers and flowers seemed pretty far off Wednesday afternoon when wind chills sent temperatures to 22 degrees below zero. But a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth had promising news that spring is on its way.
“The climate predication center is showing above-average temperatures for Minnesota for the next two weeks,” said meteorologist Melody Lovin.
The transition from hard-to-breathe cold air to temperatures nearing 40 degrees happened Friday when a high-pressure system began building over the southwestern U.S.
“When that happens, it enables a southerly flow of air to reach all the way to Minnesota,” Lovin said.
However, in typical International Falls weather fashion, the trend likely won’t stick just yet. By March 20 – the first day of spring – thermometers could return to single-digit readings.
“But we’re not seeing any negative temperatures in the extended forecast,” the meteorologist said.
Typically, the average temperatures for March in International Falls are 35 degrees for a high and 12.5 degrees for a low. And the rest of the month could be colder than normal, according to the National Weather Service website. Below-normal temperatures and near normal precipitation are forecast for the month.
It might take Minnesota awhile to catch up to the rest of the country, but “Spring will come,” Lovin said.
February stats
Borderland is coming off a colder- and wetter-than-normal February.
The average temperature was -2, which was about 12 degrees colder than the 10-degree average for the month. Those numbers ranked February 2015 the fourth coldest in station history.
On the wetter-than-normal scale, the month’s total of 0.69 inches of precipitation was 0.12 inches above the normal, ranking it the 40th wettest February in station history.
For snow, the National Weather Service website reports the month was the 12th snowiest in history with the 15.9 inches of snow that fell. The amount was 5.1 inches above the average 10.8 inches.
The following people have been recently convicted of felony or aggravated misdemeanor crimes in Koochiching County District Court. The information is provided to The Journal by court staff.
Billy D. Hell, 24, International Falls, was sentenced Feb. 20 for felony domestic assault by strangulation.
He was sentenced to 18 months at the Minnesota Correctional Facility, St. Cloud, which was stayed on court conditions, and he was ordered to pay $1,175 fine and fees. He was ordered to serve 60 days in the local jail, with credit given for four days served. He was ordered to serve 80 hours with the Sentence to Serve program and to follow the recommendations of evaluations. He may not use alcohol, controlled substances, mood-altering chemicals or enter bars or liquor stores. He must attend support meetings and submit to random tests and searches. He may have no contact with the victim.
Tara M. Smith, 32, Shevlin, was sentenced Feb. 23 for felony fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance.
She was given a stay of adjudication and placed on supervised probation for five years. She was ordered to pay $200 court fees, follow the recommendations of an evaluation, and attend meetings. She was ordered not to take mood-altering chemicals or consume alcohol, and must submit to random tests and searches.
Andrew L. Stavish, 34, International Falls, was sentenced Feb. 23 for gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation of license — posing a risk to public safety.
He was given a stay of adjudication and the case was continued. He was placed on one year supervised probation and ordered to pay $575 court fees.
Jacob D. Bannert, 28, International Falls, was sentenced Feb. 23 for gross misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
He was ordered to serve one year jail, which was stayed on court conditions. He was placed on three years supervised probation and ordered to complete a DWI program.
Andrew P. Kochaniuk, 51, International Falls, was sentenced Feb. 23 for gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation posing a risk to public safety.
He was given a stay of adjudication and ordered to serve one year in jail. The jail time was stayed on court conditions and he was placed on one year supervised probation. He was ordered to pay $575 court fees.
There is more to springing forward than turning the clocks ahead one hour before heading to bed Saturday night, according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials.
Department officials encourage people to add eight tasks to their spring forward to-do list intended to keep families safer and possibly save lives.
‘Spring forward’ to-do list:
1. Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Those alarms save lives — but only if they work.
2. Make sure flashlights and weather radios also have fresh batteries.
3. Sign up online today for a motorcycle training class. Riding season is just around the corner.
4. Don’t wait until severe weather season is here. Go over your emergency plan with your family.
5. Get enough sleep tonight. Drowsy driving is a factor in one out of five fatal crashes.
6. Prepare your car for spring and summer trips. The Minnesota State Patrol recommends checking tires, fluids, seat belts and car seats.
7. Talk with your teen driver about seat belt use, distracted driving and speed limits. Summer months are often the most dangerous on the roads.
8. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked and ready to go for the summer season.
“You’re already setting your clocks ahead one hour,” Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman said. “Take a few extra minutes to make sure this spring and summer are safe and happy for you and your family.”
More information and detail about the items on this list are available on the Department of Public Safety website.
The Department of Public Safety comprises 11 divisions where employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
