April temps this weekend; some rain on Monday

This isn't your typical February!

Many Twin Cities metro area driving ranges, and even a few golf courses, are open this weekend.  The Minnesota Golf Association has details about weekend golf opportunities.

With high temps running 25 to 30 degrees above normal over much of Minnesota, I suspect that some additional driving ranges and golf courses could open.

Record territory again

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We set a new Feb. 17 record high of 63 degrees in the Twin Cities on Friday, and St. Cloud reached a new record high of 59 degrees.

In the Twin Cities metro area, we could be close to our record high of 58 degrees later this Saturday afternoon.  50s will be common across Minnesota, with a few spots in far northern Minnesota topping out in the 40s.

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Late afternoon update:

Saturday high temp info posted by Ron Trenda

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Sunday will also be very warm, with highs in the 60s over southwestern and south-central Minnesota, and mostly 50s elsewhere:

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We could hit 60 in the Twin Cities on Sunday, which would be another record high temperature.

Our average high temp is only 30 degrees this time of year in the Twin Cities!

Thin ice

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds us that:

With the milder weather, ice is deteriorating quickly and creating some potentially dangerous conditions. Ice that has thawed and refrozen is only HALF as strong as new, clear ice!

Ice conditions will continue to deteriorate the next several days, as temperatures stay well above normal.

Monday rain

Monday will be very warm, but we'll also have periods of rain and a chance of a thunderstorm.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows Monday's possible rain pattern:

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NOAA GFS model Monday morning through Monday night, via tropicaltidbits

We could see some highs in the 60s in southern Minnesota on Monday, especially if we get a few breaks in the clouds during the afternoon hours.

Snow chances

I'm sure that many snow lovers are looking for a chance to use their skis, sleds and snowmobiles again.

There is a big variations in snow conditions across Minnesota this weekend.

The best snowcover is confined to northern Minnesota right now, and that snowcover is shrinking.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows that we could see some snow toward the end of next week:

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NOAA GFS model precipitation from next Thursday morning through Friday evening, via tropicaltidbits

Blue shaded areas indicate snow, green shaded areas are rain.

Southern Minnesota could see rain or a wintry mix initially, then a changeover to snow. Central and parts of northern Minnesota would tend to get all snow if the track of the low pressure system is accurate.

Parts of Minnesota could definitely see enough snow to shovel and plow.

We’ll keep you updated on changes in the forecast models as we get closer to Thursday.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.