Spring weather perfection Tuesday, rain and thunder Wednesday

NOAA.

I smelled spring last night.

It was in the air on my late evening walk. The southeast breeze felt different. A touch of humidity graced the air.

Tuesday's bright sun and milder temperatures remind us that April is springtime in Minnesota. Highs reach the 60s across a good chunk of our state this afternoon.

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NOAA.

Rainy Wednesday

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A fast-moving low-pressure storm zips our way Wednesday. Rain blossoms across southern Minnesota by the morning rush hours. Scattered thunderstorm pop during the midday and afternoon hours. A few of those will be feisty with local downpours, even small hail.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NAM 3 km resolution model has the capability to paint individual convective clusters Wednesday.

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NOAA NAM 3 km model Wednesday via tropical tidbits.

Overall rainfall totals between one-half and 1 inch will cover much of Minnesota. Some localized 1 inch-plus totals favor southern Minnesota.

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NOAA GFS model rainfall output via pivotal weather.

Milder days ahead

The overall pattern looks milder. Several models suggest highs will reach 70 degrees Saturday across most of western Minnesota, possibly into the Twin Cities.

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NOAA via Weather Bell.

Snowiest winter on record in Eau Claire, Wis.

This is one time I'm OK with 11th place for the Twin Cities.