The month of February is off to an unusually warm start in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with temperatures resembling those typically experienced in the third week of March. Forecasters predict that the warm weather will persist throughout the weekend, prolonging the ongoing snow drought in the region.

Dense fog advisories were issued for southeastern and southwestern Minnesota due to light winds on Wednesday night, leading to reduced visibility. Although most areas have seen improved visibility, pockets of dense fog may linger until late Thursday morning in far south-central Minnesota.

Standout high temperatures were recorded on Wednesday, with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reaching a high of 55 degrees, surpassing the previous January 31 record by 9 degrees. Other cities also experienced record-breaking temperatures, including St. Cloud (55 degrees), Brainerd and International Falls (53 degrees each), and Rochester (52 degrees). Over in Wisconsin, Eau Claire and La Crosse set new temperature records at 52 and 53 degrees, respectively. Canby in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, reached an astonishing 61 degrees, setting a new statewide record high for January 31.

Although temperatures on Thursday will not reach the previous day's highs, they will still be much warmer than average. The average high temperature for February 1 in the Twin Cities is typically 24 degrees, but this year's temperatures are expected to reach the upper 40s, resembling normal temperatures observed in the third week of March. Similarly, southern and central Minnesota, as well as western Wisconsin, can expect highs in the 40s, while the northern third of Minnesota will see mainly 30s.

As the weekend approaches, temperatures will remain mild, with highs reaching the 40s in most areas. This trend is expected to continue into next week, with the Twin Cities metro area projected to reach upper 40s through Monday to Wednesday. Some forecast models even suggest that the metro area could experience temperatures around 50 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, temperatures are expected to taper off slightly later in the week.

According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, February is likely to be warmer than normal overall, with occasional cooler days interspersed throughout the month. This follows a streak of nine consecutive warmer-than-normal months in the Twin Cities, with January alone being 5.9 degrees warmer than average.

While temperatures remain warm, no significant precipitation is expected in Minnesota or western Wisconsin in the coming days. However, patchy drizzle may occur in areas experiencing morning fog.

The lack of precipitation is evident in the snowfall totals for January. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport received only 2 inches of snow, significantly below the average January snowfall of 11 inches. This adds to the overall snow drought, with the Twin Cities' seasonal snowfall total currently being 22.7 inches below normal. St. Cloud, Duluth, International Falls, and Rochester are also experiencing below-average snowfall totals.

Authorities are warning residents to exercise caution when venturing onto frozen lakes. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides guidelines for ice safety, emphasizing that ice strength is influenced by various factors such as temperature, wind, and snow accumulation. When snow melts and re-freezes on top of lake ice, it creates weaker and more hazardous surfaces. Extra caution is necessary when traveling on such "white ice."

Stay tuned for live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m., and 4:39 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to stay informed about the evolving weather conditions.