Near record warmth today and Saturday, showers Sunday

Spring Fever Alert

If you leave work for your lunch break today, you'll be tempted to take the rest of the day off.  After sampling the warm sunshine, I expect some people to start their weekend early!

Our record high for today is 66 in the Twin Cities.  We could come close to breaking that record:

St. Cloud could break their record high of 61 today, and Mankato could break their record high of 64. A few spots in southwestern Minnesota could touch 70!

We'll have plenty of sunshine and southerly breezes statewide today as a low pressure system moves toward us:

The southerly breezes will stay with us on Saturday, and much of Minnesota will see highs in the 60s again:

Clouds will increase late in the day on Saturday, and there is a chance of showers Saturday night.  Showers are likely at times on Sunday into early Monday.

Flakes Wednesday and Thursday?

Forecast models still show a strong low pressure system moving through the upper midwest from late Tuesday into Wednesday and early Thursday.

If that happens, we will see rain showers Tuesday and Wednesday, with a rain/snow mix possible late Wednesday into Thursday. A more southerly track would mean a quick changeover to snow Wednesday and mostly snow on Thursday. 

The track and strength of the low pressure system are critical for snow timing and amounts of snow. Northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin stand the best chance of seeing accumulating snow next Wednesday and Thursday, but that could change in future forecast model runs.

Still snow in Arrowhead

The Minnesota snow depth map released yesterday by the Minnesota State Climatology Office shows there is still over a foot of snow on the ground over parts of northeastern Minnesota:

Cross country skiers and snowmobilers still have a place to enjoy the snow, and more snow is possible on Wednesday and Thursday.

I hope that you enjoy your weekend!