Forecast: Super Sunday Snow?
NOAA GFS model cranking out significant snow Sunday for the Twin Cities. Ascending lines represent model output total accumulated snowfall during the forecast period.
February is in like a white lion. And more snowy swipes are on the way.
We've already outdone January's monthly snowfall in many locations in one February day. The overall weather pattern looks favorable for more snow in the next week, and for above average snow this month.
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An undulating westerly flow pattern will bring two distinct weather systems our way in the next 5 days. The first will pass south of us on Friday. As the upper low glides through Missouri, it may extend a finger of low pressure our way. Meteorologists call this an inverted trough, and it may throw enough moisture far enough north to produce a couple of inches of snow for southern Minnesota (and maybe the metro) Friday.
The second system is looking much more impressive. In an unusual sequence of events for the Upper Midwest, a developing low pressure system is forecast to drop almost straight south into Minnesota for Super Bowl Sunday. Early model runs suggest this "Manitoba Mauler" may stall and strengthen right over Minnesota Sunday and Monday.
If this verifies, there will likely be a large area of snowfall that will develop and linger for more than 24 hours. These dry powdery snows can add up to significant depths over time. This could make for snowy commutes to and from Super Bowl parties Sunday, and serve to remind us that Minnesota really is "The Super Bowl of weather." We could be talking 6"+ of fresh powder over a large area of Minnesota by lunchtime Monday.
NOAA GFS 120 hour total snow accumulation paints the potential for 6"+ snowfall in western Minnesota moving east by late Saturday night.
In the meantime, enjoy more sun and milder temperatures as high pressure builds in through Thursday. We should be at or above average (26/7) with the mid 20s for highs Wednesday and in the 30s Thursday in the metro. The next 48 hours will provide a great opportunity to enjoy some of our high quality snowflakes, while we wait for more n the horizon. Winter is putting on a great show this year!
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