NEW ULM — Before the first month of 2024 ends, balmy temperatures look to enter the 50s and flirt with all-time highs.

According to data from the New Ulm Municipal Airport, temperatures spiked at 50 degrees Monday. This was only two degrees short of the current record set in 1931. National Weather Service Meteorologist Paige Marten said this trend will continue through the week.

“Temperatures are going to be well above normal, near the 50s,” she said. “Some low fog and cloud cover going into Tuesday and the temperature is going to be lower, but still in the 40s. As the cloud cover and fog leave, Wednesday will be back into the 50s.”

AccuWeather predicts highs of 39, 50, and 48 Tuesday through Thursday. Each of these comes close to the records of 42, 54, and 49 set in 1920, 1964, and 1995 respectively. These are drastically different temperatures from the below-0 biting cold just three weeks ago. But with El Nino bringing warm temperatures, Marten said that may be the coldest it gets.

“With the way the jet stream goes, pressure changes, it can feel drastic when the weather changes like this,” she said. “No cool-downs in the near future. The further we get into winter, the less likely we see another cool-down. What we got could have been the only one.”

As for the next couple of weeks, Marten said it’s expected to stay in above-average temperatures. Though temperatures come close to record highs, she said this isn’t an abnormal winter by El Nino standards.

“There are cooler temperatures in the west, which means we are in the higher pressure side of things,” Marten said. “This is a strong El Nino, and these temperatures are not that unusual. It probably feels a lot more extreme, given the winter we had last year.”

Though Lake Hanska was able to host the Hanska Fire Department Ice Fishing Contest, future tournaments on Sleepy Eye Lake and Clear Lake on Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 are in jeopardy with continuous above-freezing temps. Marten said the winter activity season might already be coming to a close.

“The ice will become more and more unsafe and there will be no snow on the ground for snowmobiling and sledding,” she said. “Looking like a pretty low activity winter season.”

Marten advised those who are considering going out on the ice to take care and check ahead of time. The Minnesota DNR recommends staying off of any ice thinner than four inches. While there aren’t any projected cold temperatures or snow in the near future, she said it’s no reason to assume winter weather is gone for good.

“Keep your guard up, there could always be a late-season snowstorm,” she said.