Buckle Up: 4″ to 8″+ likely tonight; “Instant Spring” & 70 by Sunday?

Cover Your Eyes

Say WHAT?

Look away now if you're squeamish, or suffering from Post Traumatic Winter Stress Disorder. The rumors are true.

Our next (and last?) major "winter storm" in spring is taking direct aim at the Twin Cities tonight. It's already snowing heavily in South Dakota.

Early morning sunshine in the Twin Cities gives way to developing rain this afternoon, and then to all snow...heavy wet cement snow again later today and tonight.

Winter Storm Warnings are out for a narrow but potent system that looks to center right over the Twin Cities metro toward Duluth and northwest Wisconsin.

(Yes, NWS still calls them "Winter" Storm Warnings in "spring" to best convey the type of weather we expect.)

By the time we wake up Tuesday, the system will be winding down, but not until another "plowable" almost too wet and heavy to be shovelable snow graces our driveways, streets and lawns.

The "Spring of our Discontent" continues for a few more days. The Minnesota Twins 3rd rainout/snowout already this season? Count on it.

The good news? In an abrupt upper air pattern change is coming by this weekend. Our 1st 60s...and possibly 70s are on the way by Saturday & Sunday.

And yes, this time I really mean it.

14.1" April snowfall at MSP so far

4th snowiest April on record

7.8" snowfall needed for snowiest April on record

-9F temps vs. average so far this month

Please sir, may I have another:

It's as if we did something really, really wrong to deserve this "spring" in Minnesota. Or is Mother Nature just balancing out the scales of weather justice for our amazing record warmth last spring?

Either way, like it or not, get ready for the next April Snow Blitzkrieg.

The System:

A rapidly developing, quick hitting low jetting from the southwest USA around a lingering dome of chilly high pressure. It's the perfect setup for a late season heavy snow storm aimed right at Minnesota & Wisconsin.

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Timing:

It's already snowing heavily in South Dakota.

Rain spread across southern Minnesota and into the metro around lunchtime. As colder air works in rain will change to heavy, wet, wind driven snow later this afternoon into tonight.

Snowfall Totals:

The models are consistent. The track of this storm looks perfect to lay the (relatively narrow) heaviest band of snow right over the Twin Cities metro into northwest Wisconsin.

The Twin Cities should see a big snowfall range of between 4" and 8"+ by Tuesday morning.

Heavy snow with total close to 1 foot are likely in northwest Wisconsin.

Quick Hitting:

The storm will be intense for several hours tonight. I can't rule out a clap of "thunder snow" with heavy snow bursts up to 1"+ per hour at times.

The storm will exit quickly Tuesday morning, but damage may be done for AM rush hour.

Instant Spring? Major upper air pattern change brings warmth this weekend

All...and I do mean all forecast models agree that the same deep, wavy upper air pattern that brings out storm tonight will shift enough to bring a rapid warm up to the Upper Midwest by this weekend.

We should enjoy the season's first 60s...and possibly even 70s this weekend.

And yes...I really mean it this time.

Strap in & buckle up. We're in for another a wild weather ride this week!

PH