Micro Clipper: Snow returns; Siberian Express ahead?

Radars are lighting up with snow across Minnesota once again today.

The next in our series of "micro clippers" is laying out another swath of light snow, and again it will be just enough to produce some greasy skid stuff today.

Expect the "snow globe" to last into the afternoon before tapering off later today. Most of the snow should fall between rush hours in the greater Twin Cities metro...but the system could still leave behind enough snow to slow down traffic heading into the PM rush hour.

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Accumulations with this mini clipper should be light, generally under an inch. The next clipper may bring another dusting late Thursday into Friday.

(click for bigger image)

-Latest Twin Cities radar loop

At least it will feel a bit warmer out there in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin today. Temperatures should approach 20 degrees as the clipper pulls in some slightly warmer air on the front side. It must be January if we think 20 degrees is "warmer!"

Temperatures will remain in the single digits above zero on the back side of the system in northern Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas.

Siberian Express ahead?

Somebody asked me the other day when that "week of brutal sub-zero weather" is headed our way. I regret to inform you, that I think I see the chunk of bitter arctic air that may deliver the coldest air in two years to Minnesota.

The medium range forecast maps are pretty consistent the past few runs that a huge chunk of bitterly cold sub-zero arctic air will migrate south from the Arctic Circle in about 10 days. This "Siberian Express" weather pattern may deliver bitter temperatures as cold as -20 in the metro, and -40 up north.

This may be the coldest arctic outbreak in two years. The last time it was that cold was in January of 2009 when temperatures plunged to -22 in the metro, and -42 in International Falls.

January Thaw to follow?

I've been scanning the weather maps in hopes of our legendary "January Thaw" and I think I may see light at the end of the tunnel. Often times after a bitter arctic outbreak, the weather pattern will compensate by pulling in some much milder air behind the bitter cold.

Looking way out in the medium range forecast....I think there is a glimmer of hope that could happen after the cold wave passes heading into the last week of January.

It's too early to say it will happen for sure...but at least there's hope for those who would like a break from sub freezing (and sub zero) temperatures.

Hang in there!

PH