Rain moves in; Spring pattern next week?

Update 5:15pm:

The first wave of rain with Friday's weather system is rolling north tonight. Expect showers tonight, as the rain spreads northward.

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We may see a break in the rain early Friday as the first wave passes overnight. The next stronger wave rolls in late Friday with more rain. Rainfall totals with both waves may approach .50" to 1" in some areas.

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The NAM is still trying to suggest we could see some snow overnight Friday night into early Saturday morning. We'll see.

Keep the umbrella handy over the next 36 hours!

PH

Welcome to the "stubborn spring" of 2011.

A patchwork of weather on the map today will bring a variety of weather our way in the next 48 hours.

Morning fog & frost:

Dense fog & frosty rooftops greeted residents in eastern MN & western Wisconsin today. Visibilities were at 1/4 mile in many locations.

Attempted sunshine??

The sun is out, at least briefly today in between weather systems. A fast moving jet stream is already pushing clouds east ahead of our next weathermaker.

Rain by tonight:

The next shot of rain is already zipping east through the Dakotas today. Rain is falling in Pierre this morning, and will reach western Minnesota later this afternoon and the metro by later tonight. The atmosphere may be marginally cold enough to mix in a few....ugh hum...snowflakes around midnight.

Wet Friday:

Low pressure will bring rain Friday. It may come in a couple of waves, but totals could be significant. Anywhere from .40" to .70" could fall by Saturday morning.

Again, one model (the NAM) is hinting the atmosphere could be just cold enough for some snow late Friday night. Let's hope the NAM is out to lunch again this time.

Brighter weekend:

There could be a lingering shower early Saturday, but the weekend trend is encouraging.

It appears the sun will come out Saturday and return Easter Sunday. Temperatures should push into the 50s Saturday afternoon, and could crack 60 Sunday afternoon.

Next rain Monday?

Our pesky, active little jet stream appears to be sending another low our way Monday into early Tuesday. That could mean another shot of rain.

Pattern change next week: Spring ahead??

There are signs that a major weather pattern change could finally bring prolonged spring like weather into the Upper Midwest starting late next week.

The jet stream shows signs of lifting north into southern Canada, and that will allow milder air to finally slide in from the south.

60s look like a good bet by next Thursday & Friday...and they could last into the following week. If the pattern verifies, 70s could be in the cards on the next 10-14 days.

Stay tuned & hang in there!

Freshwater Society "Ice out Loon In" event tonight at Bayview:

Loon & April snow (Photo by Jayne Solinger)

I'm honored to volunteer to host the 1st Annual Freshwater Society "Ice Out Loon In" benefit tonight at the Bayview Event Center in Excelsior on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.

There will be a fun variety of activities...from a loon calling contest to nature programs by Jim Gilbert and a host of others.

The event is open to the public. Ticket info here.

Hope to see you there for a good cause!

PH