Cold air returns, accompanied by more sunshine

Much warmer by the weekend

Colder air will grip the state through the middle of the week, but by the weekend, temperatures climb well above average. Sunshine prevails most of the week ahead.

Cold snap

Behind Monday’s winter storm there is a little light, lingering snow in northern Minnesota Tuesday morning, especially around the Duluth area.

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8:42 a.m. Tuesday radar
National Weather Service

This will continue to taper off through the morning, although stray flurries remain possible across the state Tuesday. That same weather system is also ushering cold air back across Minnesota.

Temperatures early Tuesday ranged in the single digits and teens; at or above average for morning lows. However, because temperatures will either hold mostly steady or barely rise through the day, afternoon highs will be below average.

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weather graphic
Tuesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

The overnight will be even colder, with the entire state below zero both Wednesday and Thursday morning and wind chills that will be 15 to 30 below.

weather graphic
Wednesday morning wind chills
National Weather Service

Most of the state will only see highs in the single digits Wednesday and in the teens on Thursday.

Weekend warmup

By Friday, temperatures rise significantly, and most of the state will see high temperatures in the 30s. The mild air stays at least through next Monday, with more 30s, and a few places that could get near 40. Here is the extended forecast for International Falls, to show just how far north the warm air extends:

weather graphic
Temperature trend for International Falls
Weather.us

Snow chances

After Tuesday morning’s light snow and the day’s flurry potential, chances for snow or any other precipitation in the week ahead are very slim. By Wednesday, most of the state is seeing widespread sunshine, and it will stay mostly sunny through the weekend. Here is the forecast snow through next Monday, showing how quiet we remain:

weather graphic
Forecast snow through Monday, Feb. 25th
Pivotal Weather

There is a potential weather system that could impact the state by next Tuesday. We’ll keep you posted as that gets closer.

Programming note

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