Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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A snowstorm Friday will bring everything from heavy snow in the North Shore, to freezing drizzle for parts of southern Minnesota. Then frigid air settles in for a cold weekend ahead.

Temperatures across the state will run 5 to 10 degrees below average, mostly in the teens and low 20s. 

Light snow is moving across Minnesota Friday morning, and for northern Minnesota, the snow is reducing visibility as low as a mile at times. It could go even lower for the North Shore when heavier snow begins. 

There are also a few pockets of morning fog reducing visibility for southern Minnesota.

Overall, snow totals across the state will remain relatively light with this system, with most of southern Minnesota seeing less than an inch of snow and northern Minnesota seeing 1 to 3 inches. 

The one exception is the North Shore, where snow will be enhanced by winds coming off Lake Superior, creating a corridor that could see 4 to 8 inches-plus. 

Because of that, portions of the Arrowhead are under either a winter weather advisory or a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Saturday.

For the southern half of Minnesota, even though temperatures will be well below freezing at the surface there could be enough warm air aloft to see some freezing drizzle mix in with the snow. 

All of the state needs to be prepared for slick spots on the roads between the snow and any freezing precipitation.

Here is the forecast precipitation across Minnesota by 4 p.m.: 

For the Twin Cities, while there is a chance for snow anytime on Friday, the highest chances for that light snow are from late morning to early evening, with the possible freezing drizzle in the afternoon. The evening commute will likely be slow. 

Snow clears out from west to east overnight, with the snow ending for all but the Arrowhead by early Saturday morning. 

Behind the snowstorm, much colder air filters back in across Minnesota. For much of the state, temperatures will fall throughout Saturday, with the day’s highs set at 12:01 a.m. and colder air in the afternoon. 

Here is a look at Saturday’s temperature trend for the Twin Cities:

The coldest period with the next cold snap is Sunday morning, where the entire state will dip below zero. 

Combining the temperatures and wind, northern parts of Minnesota could once again see wind chill temperatures at minus 30 or lower early Sunday.

After Sunday’s chill, temperatures rise slightly for the rest of the week. It looks as though the first half of the week will remain 5 to 15 degrees below average. 

For the second half of the week, there is more uncertainty, with some weather models keeping temperatures slightly below average and others getting the Twin Cities back to the low 30s by the end of next week. 

The week ahead looks quiet for precipitation, with only minimal light snow chances.

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

A snowstorm Friday will bring everything from heavy snow in the North Shore to freezing drizzle for parts of southern Minnesota. Then frigid air settles in for a cold weekend ahead.

Snow Friday, then another arctic blast of cold air for the weekend

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