Return to March weather on Monday; much cooler

It was nice to see the sunshine on Sunday, and the smiling faces of people who were out enjoying the warmth.

The temperature at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport hit 61 degrees late Sunday afternoon. The last time that our official Twin Cities temperature was 60 degrees or warmer was way back on October 20th. Highs in the 60s were recorded in many southern Minnesota locations Sunday afternoon.

Cooler temps are on tap for the week ahead. Monday highs will range from the 20s in northwestern Minnesota to the 40s in the southeast:

Our Monday Twin Cities high may be in the upper 40s around 1 a.m., with temps dropping into the 30s for the morning drive. Our afternoon high in the Twin Cities is expected to be in the lower 40s.

Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the lower 40s Tuesday, followed by upper 40s Wednesday and Thursday and mid 40s on Friday.

Precipitation chances

Scattered sprinkles are possible in parts of central and northern Minnesota Sunday evening. Later Sunday night, areas of drizzle and patchy freezing drizzle are possible in northern Minnesota.

Northeastern Minnesota and parts of northwestern Wisconsin could see patchy drizzle/freezing drizzle and a few stray snowflakes Monday morning. Southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin will have periods of rain showers on Monday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern Monday through Monday evening:

A passing sprinkle will be possible in the Twin Cities on Monday.

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Flooding along some rivers

There are flood warnings along portions of some rivers in southwestern Minnesota. Areas affected are shaded green in this NWS map:

You can go the the NWS site and click on any green-shaded area for flood warning details.

Here’s the flood statement that was issued by the NWS on Sunday:

Flood Statement National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 1053 AM CDT Sun Mar 8 2020 ...The flood warning is cancelled for the following rivers in Minnesota... Minnesota River At New Ulm affecting Brown and Nicollet Counties ...The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Minnesota... Cottonwood River at New Ulm affecting Brown County Cottonwood River Above Springfield affecting Brown County Minnesota River At Morton affecting Redwood and Renville Counties Redwood River near Redwood Falls affecting Redwood County .Overview... With the warm weather on Saturday, there is evidence that the ice jam on the Cottonwood near New Ulm has broken apart. This will remain the case today with even warmer conditions, as several points remain in flood due to snowmelt and runoff. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Turn Around...Don`t Drown. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local radio or TV station for the latest information concerning this flood event.

Check for updates if you are in the areas affected by the flood warnings.

I hope that you have a great week!