Weekend weather: Quiet, with flakes possible Sunday in far northwest

We’re expecting some very typical March weather this weekend. Our average high temperature is 40 degrees this time of year in the Twin Cities. We’ll be slightly cooler than that on Saturday, then slight warmer than average on Sunday.

Saturday highs will be mainly in the 20s in the northern half of Minnesota, with 30s to the south and into west-central Wisconsin:

Saturday afternoon wind chill temperatures will be mainly in the 20s, with teens in west-central Minnesota and parts of far northern Minnesota:

Sunday highs will be mainly in the 30s in the northern half of Minnesota, with 40s elsewhere:

Sunday afternoon wind chill temperatures are forecast to be in the 20s north, with 30s south:

Snow passes to south on Saturday

Accumulating snow will spread from portions of South Dakota and Nebraska today into Iowa Friday night and Saturday, eventually moving into northern Illinois.

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

Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings have been issued for portions of Nebraska.

Saturday’s snow misses Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Far northwestern Minnesota will have a chance of light snow Sunday afternoon. Northern Minnesota may see periods of snow Sunday night into 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.

Snow depths

There’s little or no snow cover right now in the Twin Cities metro area and most of southern Minnesota. Sneaky snow remains in a small part my lawn that’s shaded from the afternoon sun.

Cross-country skiers, sledders, snowboarders and snowmobilers will be happy to hear that there’s still substantial snow cover in portions of northern Minnesota.

Here’s the latest snow depth map, courtesy of the Minnesota State Climatology Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

There’s a foot or more of snow cover across most of north-central and northeastern Minnesota. Portions of Lake and Cook counties of northeastern Minnesota have snow depths of two feet or more.

Weekend events

If you’re looking for weekend activity options, Explore Minnesota has a list of many events and festivals around the state. One event this Saturday afternoon is a Maple Syrup Tour in Henderson, Minnesota:

Learn about and participate in the maple syruping process. Tap trees, collect sap, and taste a sample. All Ages.

$3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+

Registration opens in late January. Register online by March 15th! Reservations required.

Henderson will have a cloud/sun mix early Saturday afternoon, with temps in the lower 30s.

I hope that you have a good weekend!