40 again Sunday? Unusually warm soil temps; Monday snow chance

43 high temp at MSP Friday

(43 is average for March 20th)

19th day at or above 40 this winter!

5 days at or above 40 last winter

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+7.5 degrees vs. average at MSP in February

32 degrees soil temp at 6" near Austin, MN on Feb 17th!

Snow chance Monday

Midday replay with MPR's Huttner & KARE-11's Sven Sundgaard

Another day, another 40!

Friday's 43 degree high at MSP was the 18th time this winter the temp has hit 40 in the metro and much of southern Minnesota. Last winter we managed just 5 days at or above 40 degrees.

We'll make another at 40 run Sunday.

Friday's temp map looks similar to what we've seen this winter.

Monday snow ahead?

Forecast models have locked onto low pressure Monday for Minnesota. The system could bring mostly light snow to much of the state.

Early indications favor 1" to 3" totals, but the weekend model runs will (hopefully) nail down the system in greater detail.

No frost in February??

I almost sat back in my chair looking at soil temps this week. According to the real time 6" soil temp plots form the MN Climate Working Group site, soil temps are at or above freezing in southern Minnesota near Austin!

Soil temps are just below freezing at many of the other southern Minnesota locations as of Friday afternoon.

Austin 32

Mankato 30

Pipestone 30

Hutchinson 28

Benson 26 (from 15 Monday to 26 Friday!)

We would expect deep frost this time of year in southern Minnesota...but not this winter.

Midday replay:

It was great to spend some time chatting with KARE-11's Sven Sundgaard on Midday Friday. Yes that's his real name, and yes he has a goat.

We covered a lot of ground, and you asked some great questions.

Here's the replay in case you missed it.

I'm off to Lutsen to play in the snow this weekend. Join Craig Edwards Monday for updates on our snow chances.

Have a great weekend!