April in March

We're getting used to warm weather.

During several days of record and near record warmth in February, we jettisoned our mittens, gloves and warm coats.

When highs dipped just a few degrees below normal this past week, it felt like a wintry slap in the face.

We're back to warm temperatures this Sunday and Monday.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Two warm days

Our average high temperature this time of year in the Twin Cities is 36 degrees. Our average high temperature reaches the upper 50s in the middle of April.

Sunday highs should pop into the 60s in southwestern Minnesota, and well into the 50s over most of the remainder of Minnesota.

Highs in the upper 40s are expected over far northern Minnesota.

On Monday, highs in the 60s are expected over much of central and southern Minnesota:

rt0306h2

Northern Minnesota will see mostly 50s for Monday high temps.

Windy and colder Tuesday

A cold front swings through Minnesota late Monday and Monday night, so Tuesday highs will drop back into the 40s over the south:

rt0307h

Northern Minnesota will top out in the 20s on Tuesday.

Strong winds are on tap for Minnesota Monday night and Tuesday, with gusts over 40 mph expected.

Rain chances

Minnesota could some areas of drizzle or scattered showers Sunday evening. Showers and areas of drizzle are possible Sunday night and early Monday, with another batch of showers and possibly a thunderstorm Monday afternoon and evening.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential rain pattern:

rt0305fcstsfc
NOAA NAM model simulated radar from Sunday evening through Monday evening, via tropicaltidbits

The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the radar signal returning to the radar, not inches of rain!

Northwestern and north-central Minnesota could see some wind-driven snow Monday night.

Severe weather outlook

Dew point temperatures could reach 50 degrees Monday afternoon over much of southern Minnesota:

rt0306dew

There will be enough moisture and instability for an isolated strong thunderstorm, especially over southeastern Minnesota.

The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service shows a marginal risk of severe weather over  southeastern and south-central Minnesota Monday and Monday night:

rt0305svr
NWS Storm Prediction Center

A marginal risk is one category lower than slight risk on SPC outlooks.

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.