First flakes & 32 this week? Indian Summer MEA & Halloween?

Get ready for a roller coaster temperature ride this week!

Decent Monday; Cold front arrives Tuesday

Sunny & windy are the weather words for Monday, but temps should be fairly mild for October 17th. Look for highs in the upper 50s in southern Minnesota Monday.

Tuesday will feature the first chance for a few renegade snow flurries this season. There could even be a light coating of snow in northeast Minnesota Tuesday.

Last roses of summer?

No doubt the growing season continues at the weather lab in the west metro Monday. Check out this beautiful rose Monday morning.

I am still pulling excellent cucumbers and a few decent tomatoes from the garden on October 17th!

Growing Season 2011: 173 days?

We may see our first 32 of the season at MSP Airport this week. It could happen as soon as Wednesday morning, but more likely on Thursday morning as the center of high pressure moves overhead.

Some numbers on our growing season in 2011.

May 3rd - Last 32 degree reading at MSP Airport.

April 29th - Average date of last spring 32 at MSP

October 7th - Average date of first 32 degree reading at MSP in fall

160 days - Length of average growing season at MSP Airport

171 days - Growing season in 2010

173 days? - Possible growing season in 2011

(if MSP hits 32 Thursday morning)

Indian Summer Ahead?

+12.6 degrees vs. at MSP Airport so far this October!

After a 2 day cold spell this week, the forecast maps are hinting at a return to milder southwest flow...and Indian Summer weather could return for MEA weekend with highs near 60 by Friday & Saturday.

The (very) early outlook hints mild, dry weather may return for Halloween. If the maps are right (and it's still a long way off) highs could reach the 60s around Halloween! That's a good 10+ degrees above average.

GFS model surface map for Halloween evening shows mild & dry southerly breezes!

Weather fingers and toes crossed for the trick or treaters on that one.

PH