Aurora storm warning extended; first 70 in sight?
Clouds blanketed the Twin Cities in recent nights, but northern Minnesota has enjoyed an impressive display of northern lights this week.
A relatively minor "G1" class solar storm has been an efficient producer of northern lights this week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Center has extended the storm warnings into early April 1.
Tonight's so-called "auroral oval" may just clip northern Minnesota through the wee hours of Saturday morning. Those in far northern Minnesota will see the best chance of a northern light show.
Weekend split
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Saturday looks like the sunnier day this weekend. Moisture Sunday will likely produce a few more clouds and a shot at a stray shower or two. A slight shower chance lingers into Monday for the Twins home opener.
Tree pollen at high levels
Feeling a little sneezy? It could be tree pollen. Elm, alder and cottonwood pollen levels are running high.
Rain chances Tuesday?
NOAA's Global Forecast System model advertises a possible rain system Tuesday into Wednesday. The GFS places a chance for snow on the system's northern fringes in central and northern Minnesota. It should be noted that the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Canadian models keep this system mostly south of Minnesota. This is a low-confidence situation at this point.
First 70 in sight?
All major forecast models suggest a significant warming trend surrounding the weekend of April 8-9. The upper air pattern supports the jet stream lifting north into Canada, and ridging over the Midwest should boost temps significantly.
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center locks onto the trend, and projects odds favoring warmer than average temps across a good chunk of the United States.
The European model cranks out temps close to 70 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by Sunday April 9. NOAA's GFS concurs that temps approaching 70 are growing more likely in about seven to 10 days.
The season's first 70 degree temp in the Twin Cities may be close at hand.