October reality check: Winds ease, metro frost Saturday?

Call it the Gales of October.

After our stunningly summer-like and record producing Sunday it's back to October weather reality across Minnesota. But first, one more look at our glorious Sunday summer weather daydream. I can't recall ever seeing so many boaters out enjoying Lake Minnetonka so late on the season. Basking in record 85 degree warmth on the lake with good friends on Oct. 11?

Priceless.

October 11 lake
Sampling record warm weather on October 11th on lake Minnetonka. Paul Huttner/MPR news
1011 recs

October cold front

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Minnesota has a way of quickly reminding us what month it is. Sunday night's cold front blew through with ferocity. High wind warnings ease overnight, but Monday's gusts reached close to severe thunderstorms levels (58 mph) in western Minnesota.

Blowing dust reduced visibility in open country.

The gales of October ease Tuesday as the pressure gradient relaxes this week. Another warm front boosts temps back into the mid 60s by Wednesday.

1012 allfcsts_loop_ndfd (1)
NOAA

Light rain showers sweep by Thursday. The center of a chilly Canadian high pressure cell passing overhead Saturday morning brings a growing chance for the first 32 degree temperature of the season at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and in the inner metro core inside the Interstate 494/694 freeway ring.

1012 kky
Weatherspark Euro data

Cover up those tender plants if you want to keep them this weekend.

1012 MinT5_minnesota
NOAA