Rain and mixed snow arrives Wednesday

Rainfall could reach half an inch across southern Minnesota Wednesday

NOAA GFS precipitation forecast for Wednesday
NOAA GFS precipitation forecast for Wednesday
NOAA via pivotal weather

We’re turning gradually milder this week. We’re also trending wetter.

Temperatures reached the upper 40s to near 50 Tuesday across southern Minnesota. We’re at the northern tip of a much milder springlike air mass filtering north across the High Plains Tuesday afternoon.

Temperatures Tuesday afternoon
Temperatures Tuesday afternoon
Oklahoma Mesonet

Wet Wednesday

Wednesday brings a more potent weather system to Minnesota. The storm will track through the southern half of the state. Expect rain to begin in southwest Minnesota in the morning, and spread to the Twin Cities area before lunchtime.

The temperature profile looks warm enough for mostly rain with this system. It may feature a band of snow on the northern edge, and precipitation may mix with snow late in the day as the system pulls in colder air.

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NOAA’s GFS model paints the likely rain and snow zones Wednesday.

NOAA GFS model Wednesday
NOAA GFS model Wednesday
NOAA via tropical tidbits

One forecast note for Wednesday. A few models suggest temperatures could be cold enough for mostly snow on the northern edge of the precipitation shield. We’ll have to watch for the potential for a narrow band of potentially accumulating snow with this system. The most likely zone for that would be between the north metro area and St. Cloud, Minn.

Soaking rain

Wednesday’s system looks to bring a soaking rain to southern Minnesota. Many models suggest around a half inch could fall Wednesday. April showers are here early this year.

NOAA GFS precipitation forecast for Wednesday
NOAA GFS precipitation forecast for Wednesday
NOAA via pivotal weather

Seasonal, then milder

Temperatures hover in the 40s for the rest of this week. A warmer push of air still looks likely starting Sunday. Highs still appear likely to push the 60-degree mark next week.

Temperature forecast for Twin Cities
Temperature forecast for Twin Cities area
NOAA via Weather Bell

Stay tuned.