Chilly sunshine today; snow returns on Sunday
Did you know that our average low temperature is 33 degrees this time of year in the Twin Cities metro area?
We started our Saturday in the lower teens, and Saturday afternoon high temps in the metro area will probably creep into the lower 30s.
Yup, that's unusually cold for early April!
Our average Twin Cities high temp this time of year is 53 degrees.
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Temperature trends
Minnesota highs will range from the upper 20s to the lower 30s Saturday afternoon.
Many areas will see highs in the lower 30s on Sunday:
Twin Cities metro area highs are expected to reach the upper 30s on Monday, followed by lower 40s Tuesday and upper 40s on Wednesday. The metro area could touch 50 degrees on Thursday, followed by middle 40s on Friday.
Sunday and Sunday night snow
Snow is expected to move into west-central and southwestern Minnesota Sunday morning, then spread eastward.
Snow will probably arrive in the Twin Cities metro area and most of eastern Minnesota Sunday afternoon. Periods of snow will continue Sunday night over most of Minnesota, with the snow ending Monday morning
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential snow pattern Sunday through Monday morning:
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of snow.
Here are the snow totals that area generated by the NAM forecast model:
The Twin Cities metro area could see an inch or so of snow by Sunday evening, and then another couple of inches during the overnight hours Sunday night…so between two and three inches are possible by Monday morning in the metro area. We might see a few four inch snow reports in the far southwest corner of the metro.
Higher snow amounts are expected in southwestern Minnesota and parts of west-central and south-central Minnesota.
Here's the National Weather Service snow forecast:
Watches and advisories start on Sunday
Winter storm watches begin at 7 a.m. Sunday in southwestern, west-central and south-central Minnesota:
The winter storm watch begins runs from 7 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday in southwestern and south-central Minnesota:
Here are details of the watch in southwestern Minnesota:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
307 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-072015-
/O.CON.KFSD.WS.A.0008.180408T1200Z-180409T1200Z/
Lincoln MN-Lyon MN-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone-
307 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Moderate to heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations
of 4 to 7 inches are possible.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest Minnesota.
* WHEN...From Sunday morning through Monday morning.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions.
Winds gusting as high as 35 mph could cause patchy blowing and
drifting snow.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant
snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue
to monitor the latest forecasts.
Details in south-central Minnesota:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
332 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
...Several inches of snow expected Sunday into Sunday night
across southwest Minnesota...
.A winter storm watch for heavy snow is in effect for Sunday and
Sunday night for locations along and south of a Morris, to
Mankato, to Albert Lea line. Snow will move in from the Dakotas
Sunday morning, with over 6 inches possible along the Upper
Minnesota River Valley by the time the snow ends late Sunday
night. The heaviest snow is expected Sunday afternoon into Sunday
evening.
MNZ067-073>075-082-083-091-092-071645-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0008.180408T1200Z-180409T1200Z/
Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Martin-
Faribault-
Including the cities of Gaylord, Redwood Falls, New Ulm,
St Peter, St James, Mankato, Fairmont, and Blue Earth
332 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7
inches are possible.
* WHERE...Portions of central, south central and southwest
Minnesota.
* WHEN...From Sunday morning through Monday morning.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions.
Significant reductions in visibility are possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant
snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue
to monitor the latest forecasts.
Details of the watch in parts of west-central Minnesota:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
332 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
...Several inches of snow expected Sunday into Sunday night
across southwest Minnesota...
.A winter storm watch for heavy snow is in effect for Sunday and
Sunday night for locations along and south of a Morris, to
Mankato, to Albert Lea line. Snow will move in from the Dakotas
Sunday morning, with over 6 inches possible along the Upper
Minnesota River Valley by the time the snow ends late Sunday
night. The heaviest snow is expected Sunday afternoon into Sunday
evening.
MNZ047-054>057-064-065-071645-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0008.180408T1200Z-180409T0600Z/
Stevens-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Yellow Medicine-
Renville-
Including the cities of Morris, Madison, Benson, Montevideo,
Willmar, Granite Falls, and Olivia
332 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7
inches are possible.
* WHERE...Portions of central and west central Minnesota.
* WHEN...From Sunday morning through late Sunday night.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions.
Significant reductions in visibility are possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant
snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue
to monitor the latest forecasts.
A winter weather advisory begins at 7 a.m. Sunday in Wilkin and Grant counties:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
343 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
MNZ029-040-NDZ038-049-052-053-090600-
/O.NEW.KFGF.WW.Y.0019.180408T1200Z-180409T0600Z/
Wilkin-Grant-Barnes-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
Including the cities of Breckenridge, Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Ashby,
Herman, Barrett, Valley City, Lisbon, Enderlin, Gwinner, Milnor,
Forman, Rutland, and Wahpeton
343 AM CDT Sat Apr 7 2018
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SUNDAY TO 1 AM CDT
MONDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5
inches are expected.
* WHERE...Portions of west central Minnesota and southeast North
Dakota.
* WHEN...From 7 AM Sunday to 1 AM CDT Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Be
prepared for reduced visibilities at times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you can read about any watches and warnings in the MPR news live weather blog.
How snowy has it been?
This 2017-2018 snow season has delivered 61.2 inches of snow to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
That's already more than our average Twin Cities season snowfall total of 54 inches.
Here's the Minnesota State Climatology Office listing of Twin Cities snow totals over the past few years:
Our 2017-2018 Twin Cities season snowfall of 61.2 inches is our highest total since the 69.8 inches recorded in 2013-2014.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.