I know many of you loved the weather over the weekend and earlier this week. The conversation at church Sunday certainly was the weather, and the beautiful conditions that we are experiencing after the brutally cold spell.
High temperatures on -Sunday were in the 40s and even 50s. The warmest spot I saw was in southern Minnesota where Fairmont climbed to 58 degrees. Both New Ulm and St. James were close behind at 57 degrees. Most of central, west central, and northern Minnesota were 15-20 degrees above normal as well. I think a lot of us now have spring fever.
Looking ahead, some -scattered precipitation will be possible in some locations Wednesday and again Friday as temps will remain above normal through Sunday. It also will be windy Friday as a clipper system arrives with some light rain and light snow possible late Friday night.
In case you are wondering, the meteorological start to spring is this Saturday, March 1. The actual vernal equinox will take place at 4:01 a.m. CT March 20 when we experience equal amounts of light and darkness.
Weather history: On this date in 1996, records show that a “bolt of lightning from a snowstorm causes an explosion at a fireworks storage site in Milaca.” According to reports, “one employee was injured and several homes in the area were damaged.”
Weather facts: Did you know that thundersnow is quite rare? The ingredients that create thunder-
snow are similar to that of a typical thunderstorm where you need moisture, instability, and a lifting mechanism. Thundersnow is most common in the Midwest and Upper Midwest.
MN AT A GLANCE:
Moorhead Low 30 High 39
Duluth Low 29 High 40
Central Minn. Low 31 High 37
Twin Cities 35 High 45
Marshall Low 34 High 42
Rochester Low 32 High 41
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy. High 37 Low 31 Wind: NNW 10-15 mph Prec. .None
Today’s sunrise: 7:05 a.m.
Today’s sunset: 6:04 p.m.
Normal High: 28
Normal Low: 10
Some scattered precipitation will be possible again this Friday as temperatures will generally remain above normal through Sunday. It will also be windy Friday as a clipper system arrives with some light rain with some light snow possible late Friday night.
Thursday: Partly cloudy and warmer. High 40 Low 31 Wind: WNW 10-15 Prec. None
Friday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy and windy, 20% chance of rain. High 43 Low 22 Wind: WNW 20-30 mph Prec. Trace-.20”
Saturday: Partly cloudy and cooler. High 30 Low 16 Wind: WNW 10-15 mph Prec. None
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 37 Low 27 Wind: SSE 10-20 mph Prec. None