Weather forces battle

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MNDOT traffic cam along I-94 near the St. Croix shows fair weather cumulus clouds over the St. Croix.

It's a classic April weather battle.

The cool blustery north wind gusts to over 30 mph. The ever stronger April sun warms the ground and the air. Welcome to spring in Minnesota.

Depending on where you are, today can feel like a chilly late winter day or the start of springtime. Microclimates abound on days like this. If you're sitting on the south side of your home out of the wind in the strong sun it feels great. A long sleeved shirt will do. It feels like spring.

If you're caught out in the open wind in the shade or on the leeward shore of a chilly lake you'll need layers and a good windbreaker. Welcome to March.

Microclimate temperatures can vary widely on days like today. 5 feet above the blacktop driveway on the south side here at the Weather Lab my unofficial but accurate thermometer reads 64 degrees. With strong sun and little wind in the lee of sheltered garage it feels more like 68 or 70.

On the north side in the shade where temperatures are supposed to be collected it's 58. Stand in the wind in the shade there today and it feels more like the 40's.

Our weather will mellow tomorrow as high pressure glides overhead. Look for less wind and warmer temperatures. We should make the mid 60's tomorrow afternoon in the metro.

The "thermal ridge" of heat that's been cooking the southwest with 100 degree blast furnace heat will send a finger of warmth our way Thursday and Friday. We should see our first 80 degree temp in or very close to the metro Thursday afternoon.

An opportunity for much needed rain will slide in Saturday. The timing could be better for us people, but the plants and animals will rejoice regardless of the weekend timing.

PH