Strange bright object sighted in sky over Minnesota
The sun came out today. Some Minnesotans cowered at the unusual bright light in the morning sky. Others simply started in silent awe.
Yes, I digresses and jest. But seriously it seems we've lived in a perpetual state of gray this month. If you have to think twice to remember the last sunny day, you might live in Minnesota. I'd never make it in Seattle.
The good news? The sun shines today. It returns tomorrow. Temperatures are on the rise. Unicorns and butterflies are showing up on the weather maps.
May swan song
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May goes out like a baby lamb today. This will be one of the nicest days in a month that featured gray skies and rain. Here are the numbers through May 30 as we await the final May data today.
-0.6F May monthly temperature vs. average at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
1st cooler than average month since August 2015 at MSP
20 cloudy or mostly cloudy days at MSP this month
18 days with at least a trace of precipitation at MSP
4.8 inches May precipitation at MSP (+1.55 inches vs. average)
11.55 inches precipitation so far in 2017 at MSP (+2.08 inches vs. average)
Warming trend
Temps easily make the 70s across Minnesota today. A milder air mass blows in the rest of the week. Weekend temperatures are still up for grabs depending on cloud cover. My hunch is we'll be warmer in the Twin Cities this weekend than the numbers below.
Cooler by the lake
Most of central and southern Minnesota will be pushing 80 degrees by Friday afternoon. Cooler by the lake is the catch phrase for northeast Minnesota this time of year.
Saturday rain?
Most models suggest rain Saturday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System below brings a sunnier day for Sunday. Timing for rain and sunny hours this weekend still up for grabs at this point.
Grand Marais climate event Saturday
I am thrilled to be part of what looks like one of the best collections of Minnesota climate experts I've seen in a while. Saturday evening I'll be moderating a program at The North House Folk School in Grand Marais on Minnesota's climate with two of the top experts in the state.
I'll give an overview of the latest Minnesota climate changes. University of Minnesota Duluth's Jay Austin will focus on climate change and Lake Superior. University of Minnesota forest ecology expert Lee Frelich will show us how northern forests are changing as climate shifts. Then the three of us will participate in a conversation with the audience. We'll be recording the event for broadcast on a future edition of Climate Cast.
My thanks to Jay and Lee who accepted my invitations to this event. And a huge thanks to North House for hosting us. Let's pack the place for this free and informative Saturday evening!