The weekend started off on a mild note. High temperatures climbed into the 40s across the region on Saturday. A few spots even hit the lower 50s across southern and western Minnesota.
High temperatures on Sunday were cooled by a big dome of high pressure that kept the clouds hanging around. This lack of “mixing” kept high temperatures down from the
previous day. High temperatures were still above average in the upper 30s and lower 40s across most of the state.
A winter storm system pushed across Minnesota on Monday into Tuesday that brought with it a wintry mix of precipitation. A few lingering flurries are still possible early Wednesday morning if this systems stalls just a bit.
We will get a break for much of Wednesday afternoon into Thursday before another system takes aim on the Upper Midwest for Friday and Saturday. There is quite a bit of moisture associated with this system. If temperatures are warm enough it could be more of a rain event, but at this time it looks like it could be cold enough for some significant snow across parts of Minnesota. Do stay alert to this changing early spring/late winter snowstorm.
By the way, spring officially arrived as the spring equinox took place Tuesday morning at
11:15 a.m.
Welcome to spring, but keep that snowblower handy later this week!
Weather fact: Gust front – is the leading edge of “rain-cooled air that clashes with warmer thunderstorm inflow.” Gust fronts are “characterized by a wind shift, temperature drop, and gusty winds out ahead of a thunderstorm.”
Almanac:
Sunrise: 7:22 a.m.
Sunset: 7:35 p.m.
Normal High: 37
Normal Low: 20
Regional Temperatures:
Moorhead Low 18 High 39
Duluth Low 18 High 37
Central Minn. Low 20 High 40
Minneapolis Low 24 High 43
Marshall Low 23 High 44
Rochester Low 21 High 41
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy, 20-percent chance of lingering flurries early. High 40 Low 26 Wind: SE 5-15 mph Prec. Trace-.05”
A few lingering flurries may be possible early Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid 40s through Friday. Another system sets up on Friday that could bring a rain/snow mix to the area into Saturday. Slightly cooler temperatures are expected by the weekend.
Thursday: Partly to cloudy. High 45 Low 29 Wind: ESE 10-15 mph Prec. None
Friday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy, 70-percent chance of rain/snow. High 40 Low 28 Wind: E 15-25 mph Prec. .10”-.30”
Saturday: Mostly cloud to cloudy, 50-percent chance of snow. High 39 Low 28 Wind: ESE 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20”
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 39 Low 25 Wind: ESE 10-15 mph Prec. None
Weather history: On this date back in 1953 severe weather moved across Minnesota. A tornado hit the St. Cloud area. In addition, high winds from thunderstorms were “experienced from Martin to Stearns County.”