Brighter & milder days ahead; 40s to near 50 by Saturday?
Maps looking better
We'll take long awaited a step forward toward spring this week.
As chilly high pressure slowly releases its grip on Minnesota this week, temps will begin to budge in the right direction.
In this Updraft we look at a gradual warm up, and take a swing at the opening day forecast for Twins baseball a week from today.
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Different March:
A year ago today the ice and boaters were out on Lake Minnetonka and other metro lakes. We had just wrapped up an incredible run of days in the 70s, and lilacs were ready to burst here at the weather lab.
This year we're running about -6.5F vs. average. Our average temp so far this month at MSP is a mere 24/7F. Believe it or not that's not even in the top 15 coldest for March on record.
Mixed sun and light winds will help boost temps the next few days.
By Thursday temps should crack 40 in southern Minnesota, with mid-40s possible by Friday...and temps approaching 50 possible by Saturday.
Some of the models are hinting at another shot of cooler air again by Sunday & Monday.
We'll need to see a few more runs, but I'm not ready to sign off on 50 degrees yet for the Twins Opener next Monday. We could be talking 40s or even 30s if the next chilly surge is strong enough.
Stay tuned.
In the mean time, enjoy our tranquil and gradually warmer week ahead!
PH