Sunny, warmer Thursday; Saturday flake chance, bright on Sunday

Warm days have been almost non-existent in Minnesota this October. Oct. 3 was our only warmer-than-normal day in the Twin Cities metro area this month. Many days have been well below normal.

Here’s a look at October weather data from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport:

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MSP airport weather data, via the National Weather Service

The highlighted “DEP” column shows the departure of each average daily temperature from normal. The average daily temperature is the average of the high temperature and the low temperature on that day.

Negative numbers in the “DEP” column indicate days that were cooler than normal.

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Thursday's mild high temps will break our cool streak!

Temperature trends 

Thursday afternoon highs should reach the 60s across most of Minnesota, with some lower 70s possible in parts of west-central and southwestern Minnesota.  Some spots in the Twin Cities metro area could reach the upper 60s.

I'll wouldn't be surprised to see some flip-flops Thursday afternoon, and I'll bet that outdoor patios will be popular at some restaurants.

Our average high this time of year is 57 degrees in the Twin Cities metro area.

Friday highs will be in the 50s across northern Minnesota, with some lower 60s in the south:

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Saturday will be windy and chilly, with daytime highs in the 30s across much of Minnesota:

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A few lower 40s are possible in the far south.

Some 50s return to southern Minnesota on Sunday, with mostly 40s in the north:

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Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to be in the lower 50s Monday through Wednesday of next week.

Rain and snow chances

Scattered rain showers are possible in southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin overnight Thursday night and early Friday morning.

On Saturday, Minnesota and western Wisconsin could see some snow showers at times, especially during the morning and early afternoon. The snow showers might be mixed with rain in the Twin Cities metro area and southern Minnesota.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern from Thursday night through Saturday morning:

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NOAA NAM simulated radar from Thursday night through Saturday morning, via tropicaltidbits

The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of rain or snow.

Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you can see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Fall colors

If you’re planning some leaf-peeping in Minnesota, you’ll be interested in the latest fall color report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

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Minnesota DNR

Keep in mind that all deciduous trees are included in the fall color report, not just maples.

Wisconsin fall color report is also available.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.