Weekend weather: Mild Saturday; some rain, snow chances Sunday

Winds pick up on Sunday

When I opened the blinds this morning I was greeted by the unwelcome sight of snow showers. The snow didn’t stick on the ground at my St. Paul location, but it was a different story in some spots. It’s a good thing that April snow melts quickly!

We’ll see scattered snow showers and possibly some scattered rain showers at times Thursday afternoon. Winds will be gusty at times, but the winds won’t be as strong as they were Wednesday and overnight.

I was happy to see that the robin’s nest that’s under my roof eave and on top of a gutter elbow survived the strong winds Wednesday night.

Weekend temperatures and winds

Saturday highs are expected to reach the 50s across southern and central Minnesota, plus western Wisconsin, with 40s in northern Minnesota:

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Saturday forecast highs
National Weather Service

Our average Twin Cities high temp is 56 degrees on April 11, and the area could reach the upper 50s this Saturday. If you have outdoor plans (while practicing social distancing) this Saturday, you’ll be happy to know that our winds will be light.

Sunday highs will be cool, with 40s in eastern Minnesota and 30s over western Minnesota:

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Sunday forecast highs
National Weather Service

It’ll be breezy Sunday afternoon, with gusts of 12 to 18 mph:

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Sunday 1 p.m. forecast winds
National Weather Service

Plotted values are in knots, with 11 knots equal to around 13 mph.

Rain or snow on Sunday?

Computer models show a low-pressure system passing to our south this weekend, spinning moisture over portions of Minnesota and much of Wisconsin.

Based on latest forecast models, southern Minnesota may see some rain showers Saturday afternoon and evening. Southeastern Minnesota and portions of western Wisconsin appear to have the best chance of snow or a rain/snow mix late Saturday night and Sunday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System (GFS) model shows the potential precipitation pattern Saturday morning through Sunday evening:

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GFS simulated precipitation rate Saturday morning through Sunday evening
NOAA, via Tropicaltidbits.com

The Twin Cities metro area may be near the northwestern edge of the snow or rain/snow mix late Saturday night and Sunday, but the forecast track could shift as we get closer to the weekend.

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