Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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Our bright May sunshine feels good today.

Tuesday's sun is as high in the sky as early August. After a frosty start in many Minnesota towns this morning, the potent sunshine helps warm the ground into the lower 60s Tuesday afternoon.

The temperature at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport bottomed out around 40 degrees Tuesday morning. Looking ahead I'd say there's an 80 percent chance we've already seen the last 32 degree temperature this spring at MSP airport. The last subfreezing temperatures recorded was 30 degrees on April 15.

The average date of the last 32 at MSP is April 25. So although this spring has been cool, it looks like the last subfreezing temperature at MSP may have occurred 10 days earlier than average this spring.

There will be more frosty mornings north and west of the Twin Cities this month. Scattered frost is typical into June for northern Minnesota.

Our next soaker arrives on Wednesday. Rain develops around midnight in southwest Minnesota and spreads northeast into the Twin Cities around morning rush hours.

I like the way the Canadian GEM model is handling the inbound system. Heavier rains favor Wednesday afternoon.

And yes, rain could mix with some wet snowflakes across central and northeast Minnesota by Wednesday night. Some sloppy but melty accumulations are possible from Mille Lacs through the Arrowhead.

Widespread one-half to 1-inch rainfall totals will be common across the southeastern half of Minnesota. The Canadian model is aggressive with a swath of 2 inches-plus rainfall across central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.

Sun returns Friday with scattered rain Saturday. Mom's Day looks nicer with temperatures still in the 60s. We take another step toward spring next week, with highs closer to 70 degrees.

The longer range maps suggest temps closer to 80 degrees by the weekend of May 18-19.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Cool and wet this week. Milder air next week.

Bright Tuesday then a raw, wet Wednesday; last 32 at MSP?

Go Deeper.

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