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

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Warm air that may keep us above average for the rest of January is spreading across Minnesota Tuesday, but the same system brings high winds and a mix of wintry precipitation.

Most of the state started off milder Tuesday and will see afternoon temperatures in the 20s. 

For many locations, particularly southern Minnesota, highs could be set at the end of the day as temperatures climb through the evening and overnight, setting the stage for very warm temperatures on Wednesday. 

Here is that temperature trend through the overnight for the Twin Cities, with temperatures in red and wind chill in blue: 

Tuesday’s milder weather will be offset by stronger winds creating more of a wind chill, so it will still feel cooler with wind chills making much of the state feel like 0 to 10 degrees in the afternoon.

Winds Tuesday are from the south, which is helping to draw in the warmer air. Most of the state will be windy by Tuesday afternoon, with winds gusting 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph for southwestern Minnesota. 

That could cause some of areas of blowing snow from the snow already on the ground. 

A few more clouds are spreading across northern Minnesota already Tuesday morning, and will continue to spread across the state through the day.

The milder air Tuesday is just the start of an impressive warm-up that will put most of Minnesota in the 30s by Wednesday, and temperatures will likely stay above average through the end of January. 

Here is the Twin Cities temperature trend for the next week, with highs in red and lows in blue: 

The same system causing the warmup will start bringing snow and rain to southeastern Minnesota by Wednesday morning. 

Precipitation will spread across most of the state by Thursday, then slowly clear out on Friday. The precipitation will predominantly be snow, and most of the state will see 2 inches or less of total accumulation. 

Southern Minnesota could see slightly higher snow totals, but that is also the most likely area to see rain mix in, particularly Wednesday and Thursday afternoons when temperatures are milder. 

Most of the state also has a very slight chance for sleet or freezing rain to mix in, given the warm air coming in over the colder air mass we’ve had in place across Minnesota.

After the system moves out Friday, the state sees a quiet stretch until possibly Tuesday, with another chance for light statewide snow.

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

Warm air that may keep us above average for the rest of January is spreading across Minnesota Tuesday, but the same system brings high winds and a mix of wintry precipitation.


Warm air pushes across Minnesota Tuesday, driven by high winds

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