Sky shows tonight; 1st Moon & Venus, then lightning by AM?

Conjunction - Bright Venus & crescent moon tonight in the western evening sky

Isolated sprinkles possible this evening

Widespread rain, lightning & thunder possible after midnight into Wednesday morning

Latest Twin Cities radar loop

88 in Williston and Dickenson ,ND Tuesday (Up in "oil boom" country)

87 in Sioux Falls Tuesday

73 at MSP Airport Tuesday

4th 70 degree day this month

8 Number of 70 degree plus days in March

70s again Wednesday in southern Minnesota

50s return cooler front Thursday into the weekend

Sky Show Tonight!

This should be a good one! We may have to dodge a few evening clouds and a stary shower, but look for brilliant Venus and the waxing crescent moon to cozy up in the western sky after sunset tonight.

Here's a great podcast on tonight's conjunction from earthsky.org.

Source: earthsky.org

Lightning & thunder overnight:

You may awaken to the pitter patter of rain on your roof tonight, or to a flash of lightning followed by a crack of thunder.

Source: Twin Cities NWS

Low pressure rides through Minnesota overnight into early Wednesday. The system will kick off scattered showers, and a few thunderstorms.

It looks like the best window for rain and thunder will come after midnight, and probably closer to 3-6 am for the metro.

SPC does not anticipate severe weather tonight, but I wouldn't rule out some possible hail and gusty winds with a few of the storms as we head into early Wednesday.

EARLY IN THE PERIOD LOW LEVEL WARM ADVECTION WILL

BE FOCUSED OVER THE UPPER MS VALLEY AHEAD OF SFC LOW OVER SWRN MN

AND THIS SHOULD PROVE RESPONSIBLE FOR EARLY MORNING CONVECTION.

Things may ramp up later Wednesday for southern Wisconsin and Chicagoland with a slight risk of severe storms.

Source: NOAA/SPC

Enjoy the show!

PH