Temperatures climbed to near 50 degrees in northern Minnesota on Saturday, with several communities setting record highs for the date.

The National Weather Service reported that Brainerd reported a high of 48 degrees, breaking the previous record high for Dec. 15 of 47 degrees, set in 1960.

International Falls hit 47 degrees; the previous record was 44, set in 1997. Hibbing reported 44 degrees, breaking the previous record of 43, also set in 1997.

Other high temperatures Saturday included 49 at Cass Lake, Breezy Point and Inger; 48 at Emily and Littlefork; and 47 at Walker, Scanlon, Moose Lake and Orr.

The Duluth International Airport hit 44 degrees (the record for the date remains 48, set in 1877).

Parts of southern Minnesota saw cooler conditions because of the snowfall from two weeks ago that remains on the ground. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport hit a high of 43 degrees; Rochester only managed to reach 37 degrees.

That's still well above average. The normal high in the Twin Cities at this time of year is in the upper 20s.

A sunny but somewhat cooler day is expected across Minnesota on Sunday, with highs in the 20s and 30s.

Find more forecast information on MPR Weather's Updraft blog.