Snow fades, low stratus season begins
Our sloppy attempted snowfall managed just a pathetic temporary coating in parts of the Twin Cities today.
Slightly more determined flakes flew around parts of southern Minnesota.
But the real accumulating snow is coming down in central and northern Minnesota. This is what the first stages of winter look like up north.
Snow moves east tonight
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The main snow band pivots north and east overnight. The Twin Cities mixes with drizzle. Skies dry out Thursday.
Here's the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model.
Snow zone: Up north
Northeast Minnesota picks up significant snowfall overnight into early Thursday. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories remain up.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
312 PM CDT Wed Nov 1 2017
...Snow across the Northland through this Evening...
.A Canadian Clipper will continue to spread snow through the
Northland through this evening. Expect widespread total snowfall,
including what has already fallen today, of 2 to 4 inches, but
higher amounts of 3 to 6 inches or higher along the Minnesota
North Shore because of enhancement from Lake Superior and terrain
effects. The snow will taper off this evening, but linger
overnight for parts of the far North Shore.
Next snow Friday
Our next November rain and snow system rolls in Friday into Saturday. Again, the heaviest snows fall north of the Twin Cities.
Warm wet October
October was warm and wet across much of Minnesota. That marks 22 of the past 24 months warmer than average at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Many farmers still have corn in the fields due to wet soils.
Low stratus season
I'll be honest. November is by far my least favorite month in Minnesota. The colorful leaves are gone. The last warm autumn days seem to have forsaken us. It's not cold enough for outdoor ice and persistent snow cover to play on yet. It can be a life-sucking feeling this time of year. Seasonal affective disorder is real for some Minnesotans. Time to plug in your happy light.
Worst of all for me, the endless shades of gray just seem to roll on. November is the cloudiest month of the year statistically in Minnesota. We enjoy just 39 percent of possible sunshine on average this month in the Twin Cities.
The beauty of winter in Minnesota is it gets sunnier as the season rolls on. Combine some fresh snow, and we get some really bright days in winter.
Here's to brighter days ahead.