Milder air returns Friday, lingers through weekend; Saturday p.m. flake or sprinkle?
Ice safety guidelines
Our average Twin Cities high temp is 42 degrees this time of year. That would feel almost toasty after our recent stretch of chilly days!
Many spots in the Twin Cities will reach the lower 30s Thursday afternoon, which is an improvement over our 28 degree high on Wednesday. Highs in the 30s are forecast across most of Minnesota this Thursday, with some 20s in north-central and northeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Temperature trends
Friday highs reach well into the 30s across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with 20s in the far north:
On Saturday, we peak at 40 degrees or higher in about the southern half of Minnesota:
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Sunday highs retreat slightly:
Some spots in the Twin Cities will probably reach the lower 40s on Saturday, then top out around 40 on Sunday. Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the lower 40s next Monday and Tuesday.
Rain and snow chances
Northeastern Minnesota and far northwestern Wisconsin could see some light snow or flurries at times this Thursday. Listen for updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll also see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.
A batch of rain showers, mixed with snow showers to the north, could move into western Minnesota Saturday afternoon and spread eastward by Saturday evening. A rain/snow mix is possible Saturday night.
The Twin Cities metro area could see a sprinkle Saturday evening and a rain/snow shower overnight Saturday night.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern Saturday and Saturday evening:
Check forecast updates.
Lake ice is not safe
Tuesday’s rescue on Upper Red Lake in northwestern Minnesota is a reminder that it’s too early to venture out onto the ice that’s forming on some of Minnesota’s lakes:
The ice thickness guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources indicate that at least 4 inches of clear new ice are needed to support a human:
According to the Minnesota DNR:
UNDER 4" - STAY OFF
4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" - 7" - Snowmobile or ATV
8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
12" - 15" - Medium truck
Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.
White ice or "snow ice" is only about half as strong as new clear ice. Double the above thickness guidelines when traveling on white ice.The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility. Check ice thickness at least every 150 feet.
Temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the relative safety of ice. Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be 2 feet thick in one place and 1 inch thick a few yards away. Check the ice at least every 150 feet.
Let’s give that ice some time to thicken up.
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.