Wintry for now; milder after Nov. 15?
Meteorologists call it northwest flow. Persistent northwest winds aloft and at the surface drive a family of cold fronts south for the next week. Periodic snow bands race along the fast-moving flow over the next few days. Subfreezing temperatures create an elevated risk factor for commutes. Wintry winds of change are here.
Minnesotans are hardy and experienced in dealing with weather that brings southern states to a standstill. But it demands a different mindset this time of year.
A clipper Friday grazes the Twin Cities with potentially heavier accumulations favoring southern Minnesota.
The longer range maps show signs of a moderating trend in about eight to 10 days. We're still watching to see if El Niño produces milder Pacific jet stream patterns as we move into meteorological winter starting Dec. 1.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Slick spots
Our overnight snow showers are enough to produce some slick conditions under foot and on some roads today. Buyer beware.
Cold persists for now
The weather maps continue to pump cold air into the eastern half of the nation. Temperatures will bottom out this weekend. It will feel more like Christmas than two weeks before Thanksgiving. We may hit 40-degrees again around or after Nov. 15.
Saturday morning looks like the coldest of the bunch right now. Temperatures in the single digits and teens will get your attention.
Zonal flow ahead?
The longer range maps suggest the upper winds will blow from starting Seattle late next week. That should bring back milder air into the Upper Midwest.
NOAA's GFS model suggest a string of days with highs well into the 40s again as we move into the second half of November.
Stay tuned.