Metro: 7th snowiest winter… 48 degrees by Friday?

We're #7!...We're #7!

Wednesday's bout of light snow has boosted the Twin Cities season snowfall one rung on the all time snowiest winter ladder. Our 79.7" season snowfall (1" today) now puts the metro at 7th place for the snowiest winters on record, according to the Twin Cities NWS. Here are the numbers.

Top 10 snowiest winters. (Click to enlarge)

Any shot at the top 5?

As you can see from the graphic above, the Twin Cities needs another 1.7" to move into sole possession of 6th place.

A fast moving clipper like system will pull up some warmer air Friday, then a cold front crashes through behind the system Friday night into Saturday morning. This should bring a shot of snow along, but totals look to be generally light, maybe another inch or two.

It will take another 4.4" to move into a 5th place tie. While that is certainly doable (and even likely?) before the snow season ends, I don't see any snow on the way yet that would push us into the top 5. (Sigh of relief here)

Spring fever ahead?

There may be an outbreak of spring fever in Minnesota Friday.

Milder air will begin to make regular incursions into Minnesota in the next week. I expect several days in the 40s with sunshine, southerly breezes and melting snow.

Days in the 40s more common in the next week! (Click to enlarge)

The overall weather scenario is evolving into what meteorologists sometimes call a "push-pull" weather pattern. It might be better to call it a "pull-push" pattern...here's why.

-A fast moving zonal (west to east) jet stream brings low pressure systems through the Upper Midwest in rapid succession...every 2-3 days.

-As the lows approach, southerly winds ahead of the system "pull" milder air into Minnesota. (Friday!)

-Behind the system, northwest winds fronts "push" colder air (and maybe snow) southward from Canada. (Saturday)

The result is wide swings in temperatures from day to day, with one day feeling like spring and the next a wintery rerun.

Welcome to March in Minnesota.

Here's the (mostly) milder outlook for the next week for the Metro and Greater Minnesota.

Thursday: Bright sun returns! High in the upper 30s to near 40. Light west winds.

Friday: Sunny, breezy and milder with highs near 48! South winds 10-22mph.

Friday night/Saturday: Blustery and colder. Shot of snow may bring 1" to 2" in most areas. High Saturday near 34, but feeling cooler with brisk NW winds.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and cool but with lighter winds. High near 33. Light snow late SW MN.

Monday: Mostly sunny & milder High near 41.

Tuesday: Sunny & milder. High 46.

Wednesday: Windy. Chance of rain showers. (Snow north) High low 40s.

On a limb: Much warmer weekend of March 19th-20th? Highs well into the 50s??

PH