A mild week ahead, but don't expect to see much sunshine

Light snow possible by the end of the week

A stable air mass over Minnesota is helping to keep temperatures mild, but it is also causing cloudy skies and periods of fog. Light snow chances return by Thursday.

Monday’s forecast

High pressure is dominating Minnesota’s weather, keeping stagnate air over the state. This weather pattern combined with low-level moisture has caused areas of fog, freezing drizzle and flurries Monday morning.

The low clouds will lift by late morning, also ending the fog and light precipitation, but all of Monday will stay mostly cloudy. Minnesota continues to see slightly above average temperatures Monday, with most of the state in the 20s.

weather graphic
Monday high temperatures
National Weather Service

Fog and snow chances

Patches of fog are still possible the next couple mornings thanks to ample moisture and light winds. However, it currently looks like the fog and drizzle chances will diminish as the influence of the high pressure lessens by Wednesday.

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That pattern change will allow some light snow showers to impact the state Thursday through early Saturday.

weather graphic
Friday evening forecast
National Weather Service

The snow looks so light, it looks like most of Minnesota could see under a half-inch total.

weather graphic
Snow forecast through Friday night
Pivotal Weather

Some light rain could mix in by Friday afternoon due to the mild temperatures. Skies will remain cloudy to mostly cloudy throughout the week.

Temperatures

Temperatures dip slightly Tuesday, bringing the highs closer to average, but the state starts trending milder again right away on Wednesday. By Friday, it is likely the entire state will see highs in the 30s, and into the weekend some temperatures could approach 40.

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

weather graphic
Twin Cities temperature trend
Weather.us

Thanks to the cloudy skies expected this week, low temperatures will remain even milder relative to their averages, often 10 to 20 degrees above average.

The thaw does have an end in sight though. By the middle of next week, temperatures are likely to drop again.

weather graphic
Temperature probability Feb. 3-9
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Programming note

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