Spectacular Saturday; Ice out on White Bear Lake

Spring has sprung in Minnesota.

A mild air mass surges north Saturday. Temperatures reached the 60s across most of Minnesota Friday. Highs in the 70s and even 80s gathered to the west.

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The northern parts of the U.S. bask in mild temperatures Friday afternoon.

Spectacular Saturday

Saturday will be the warmest day so far this year for most of Minnesota. The Twin Cities squeaked out 70 degrees on April 8. Thermometers easily push past that number across most of Minnesota Saturday afternoon. Temperatures push 80 degrees in western Minnesota. It's going to feel like July in South Dakota and Nebraska Saturday.

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The cargo shorts watch has been upgraded to a warning Saturday.

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Forecast highs Saturday via NOAA.

Easter Sunday Showers

A cool front drops south Sunday into Monday. Scattered showers arrive Sunday, and more widespread rains develop by Monday. Here's NOAA's GFS model from early Sunday into Tuesday morning.

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NOAA GFS model via tropical tidbits.

Another inch?

Widespread half-inch rainfall totals look possible Monday. Some locations across central and southern Minnesota could pick up another inch of rainfall.

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GFS rainfall output via pivotal weather.

Mostly 60s

Monday's rain delivers the coolest day of the next week. Highs across Minnesota favor the 60s next week. Right now next weekend looks cooler.

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NOAA forecast temperatures for Minneapolis via Weather Bell.

White Bear ice-out

The ice went out on Twin Cities bellwether White Bear Lake Thursday. That's 4 days later than the long term average. Ice-out is progressing northward.

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Minnesota DNR.

Many smaller bays are now ice-free on Lake Minnetonka, but there is still some ice. Here's Carsons Bay Friday.

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An ice-free Carsons Bay on Lake Minnetonka Friday. Image: Paul Huttner/MPR News

Weather Balloons 

Weather balloons are critical to sampling the atmosphere at depth. They are launched twice daily from dozens of locations across the USA. The Twin Cities NWS launches them at Chanhassen in the southwest metro.