Best spring ever?

I'm tempted to editorialize a bit by calling our early spring this year the best ever in Minnesota. If you like classic spring weather this is your year.

The numbers back me up on this. The past 11 days have been among the sunniest and driest on record in the Twin Cities. Check out the numbers.

-The Twin Cities NWS office in Chanhassen has recorded 82% of possible sunshine since April 6th. Climate specialist Dr. Mark Seeley confirms these readings from the weather station at the UM St. Paul campus.

-We have received no measurable precipitation since April 5th. That is the driest such period on record. This has plunged part of eastern Minnesota into severe drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

-We've seen a nice gradual warm up this year through the 50's, 60's and into the 70's. Contrast that with the past two Aprils when the warm up was more pronounced. Last April we warmed from 37 degrees on the 12th to 69 degrees on April 16th. In 2007 we warmed from 36 degrees on the 11th all the way to 76 degrees on the 16th.

Our weather winning streak will continue through Saturday. Tomorrow will be the best day of the weekend to get out side and enjoy this classic spring weather. We should still see ample sun, with a high between 65 and 70. A weather system that is dumping over 2 feet of snow in the mountains west of Denver will clip southern Minnesota Sunday. There is a good chance of much needed rain showers from the metro south. One model hints at a good soaking rain, with another keeping much of the precip just south of the metro. Temperatures may not climb out of the 50's Sunday and Monday.

Next week should feature another quick warming trend. Look for 60's to return Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday looks warm again, with a shot at 70 each day. We may even see our first 80 degree reading pop up in Minnesota by late next week.

Enjoy!