From staff reports

Albert Lea residents left their coats at home Tuesday as the temperature reached 54 degrees, easily breaking a 39-year-old record.

Wednesday, January 09, 2002

Albert Lea residents left their coats at home Tuesday as the temperature reached 54 degrees, easily breaking a 39-year-old record.

The previous high for the day was 49 degrees, set in 1963. Tuesday’s high of 54 was the second-highest temperature ever recorded in January in Albert Lea. The highest was 64 degrees on Jan. 25, 1944

The warm weather, while welcomed by most, interrupted the usual January recreation, as the City of Albert Lea closed outdoor skating rinks and snowmobilers watched much of the scant snow cover melt away.

All outdoor skating rinks and warming houses will be closed until further notice. Due to the warm conditions the Parks and Recreation Department is asking people to stay off all rinks. The rinks will reopen when the weather permits.

Indoor public skating times at the City Arena are Monday through Friday, 1-3 p.m.; Saturday 1-3 p.m.; and Sunday 6:45-8 p.m. Rock on Ice is held Fridays from 7:45-9:45 p.m.

Forecasts for today called for more record or near-record warmth. The record high for today’s date is 48, set in 1990.