Thermometer reaches 50 and beyond; showers likely Saturday

The mercury soared through the 40s this afternoon and topped out above 50 degrees in many locations.  Readings in the middle 50s were common in west central Minnesota.  Aberdeen, S.D, which had the nation's low of 1 below zero on Tuesday morning, topped out at 62 degrees this afternoon.

Click on the image to enlarge the surface conditions from mid afternoon. It was 52 degrees in Brainerd at 3 p.m.

Mid afternoon weather map
Surface weather map for 3 p.m. CST. Temperatures are shown in red. Image: Iowa Environmental Mesonet

The afternoon visible satellite image painted clouds in far northwest Minnesota. Cloud cover stayed north of Fargo-Moorhead much of the day, allowing the sunshine to push the mercury up to 61 degrees today. The record high for this date in Fargo is 65, set in 1999.

Afternoon Visible Satellite image
Visible satellite image from 3 p.m. CST. Image:NOAA/College of Dupage

Another couple of days of above-normal temperatures are expected the rest of the week.  Light showers may sweep across southern and east central Minnesota on Thursday.

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Temperature around daybreak on Thursday morning will be in the upper 30s in southwest Minnesota.

Rapid update cycle model
Surface forecast of pressure, temperatures and wind for 6 a.m. CST on Thursday from the Rapid Update Cycle model. Image:NOAA/College of Dupage

Showers are most likely in eastern Minnesota on Saturday morning. Overnight on Saturday and into Sunday, Wisconsin has the better chance for rain. We'll have better resolution to the weekend precipitation on Thursday afternoon.

Weekend weather
Graphical forecast provided by National Weathe Service in Chanhasse, Minn

A cold front dips into the western Great Lakes on Sunday, dropping temperatures in northern Minnesota into the 30s.

Sunday's maximum temperatures
Image:NWS

Evidence of the changing climate

There is universal agreement that the warming of the Earth will result in rises in sea level.  Climatologists and research meteorologists are focusing the debate on how high the the water may rise.

Here's a novel approach on dealing with the issue from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In my climate talks I often say, "The blame is squarely on us", if we continue business as usual in the coastal areas.

Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner invites you to share you observations about climate change when he visits with Kerri Miller on the Daily Circuit on Thursday morning.

If you have a question that you would like answered by one of our climate change experts, please call 651-290-1027 and leave your question, name, location and phone number -- we may use your question on the air during future Climate Cast segments.

We are also interested in hearing about climate changes observed in your area in your lifetime. How is the climate different from 30 or 40 years ago?  We look forward to hearing from you!