Weather Column: We had one final day of mild temperatures on Monday across Minnesota before the colder weather arrived. On Monday, temperatures were in the lower 30s all the way up near International Falls to the low to mid 40s along the Minnesota/Iowa border.
A cold front along with an area of low pressure arrived Monday night bringing with it the start of the colder air, but also some heavy snow across parts of northern Minnesota. A winter storm warning and a winter weather advisory were posted for northwestern Minnesota. Six to ten inches of snow were forecasted for that part of the region along with strong winds.
The coldest air of the season will arrive for the midweek as a strong surge of Arctic air will settle in through the weekend. Coupled with the colder air will be breezy conditions making it feel even colder. Some parts of the area could see overnight lows flirting with zero.
The short-term outlook for the next 6-10 days calls for below average temperatures and above average precipitation. I guess we will have to dig out our winter coats, scarves, mittens, and long underwear if we haven?Äôt already done so at this point! Some hot chocolate and a roaring fire sound good about right now.
Stay warm and have a good rest of the week and upcoming weekend!
Weather history: On this date in 1982, records show that ?Äúdue to unseasonably mild temperatures during the preceding weeks, a farmer near St. Bonifacius (was) able to bail his 4th crop of alfalfa hay on this day.?Äù
Weather fact: Steam fog: Fog that is formed when ?Äúwater vapor is added to air which is much colder than the vapor?Äôs source.?Äù This is most common when very cold air ?Äúdrifts across relatively warm water.?Äù
MN AT A GLANCE:
Moorhead Low 9 High 14
Duluth Low 16 High 24
Central Minn. Low 9 High 15
Minneapolis Low 15 High 23
Rochester Low 12 High 22
Marshall Low 11 High 18
Wednesday: Cloudy, breezy and colder, 20-percent chance of light snow. High 15 Low 10 Winds: WNW 15-25 mph Prec. Trace-.20?Äù
Monday?Äôs sunrise: 7:49 a.m.
Monday?Äôs sunset: 4:36 p.m.
Normal High: 25
Normal Low: 9
Much colder air will settle in across the Upper Midwest as we will see temperatures below average for the midweek all the way into the weekend. Temperatures will be 10-20 degrees cooler than average for much of the period. Some light snow will be possible along the way with the best chance coming in late Friday night into Saturday. Temperatures will moderate a bit on Saturday as that system pushes across the region. We should climb back into the lower 20s briefly by Saturday before falling into the teens for Sunday.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy and cold, 20-percent chance of light snow. High 13 Low 2 Winds: NW 15-25 mph Prec. Trace-.20?Äù
Friday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy, 20-percent chance of light snow. High 12 Low 8 Winds: SE 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20?Äù
Saturday: Cloudy, 50-percent chance of snow. High 22 Low 12 Winds: SE 5-15 mph Prec. .10?Äù-.30?Äù
Sunday: Partly cloudy, 20%-percent chance of light snow. High 16 Low 4 Winds: W 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20?Äù