Thunder-blizzard rages; 60 degrees in Twin Cities next Thursday?

Eighteen inches of snow and 56 mph gusts in North Dakota

The well-advertised blizzard is raging in North Dakota Friday night. Blizzard and winter storm warnings are up until 1 p.m. Saturday for most of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

Warnings
Warnings
NWS Grand Forks

Thunder-snow is embedded within the heavy snow zone.

As much as 18 inches of snow has already fallen in Devil’s Lake. Winds there have gusted to 56 mph. Snowfall totals over 2 feet are likely.

Surface reports show a heavy wet snowfall that is compacting like cement. Plows are having difficulty getting roads cleared. Dozens of highway rescues are underway.

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This car is mostly submerged in standing water after skidding off the roadway. The driver is safe, but wow.

Wintry weekend

The first flakes of the season fell around the Twin Cities today. The Twin Cities National Weather Service has deployed the snowboard for the season. Preview of coming attractions.

The cold front blew in last night on schedule. Temperatures are 20 degrees colder in much of Minnesota.

This weekend remains chilly with occasional rains and snow showers. Temperatures moderate back into the 50s next week. I think the guidance below is a few degrees too conservative. Some models I’m looking at suggest we will be closer to 60 degrees next Thursday afternoon in the Twin Cities.

Temperature forecast for Minneapolis
Temperature forecast for Minneapolis
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via Weather Bell