Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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Minnesota sees very active weather Friday with widespread showers and storms across the state, including areas of severe weather and heavy rain.  Much quieter weather returns over the weekend.

Friday morning started warm and muggy, with most of the state in the 60s and 70s.  It stays warm and humid into the afternoon, with highs in the 80s and a heat index above 90 for portions of southeastern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.  

The exception to the temperatures in northwestern Minnesota, which will already feel the cooler air behind a cold front and stays in the 70s.

That strong cold front is a major factor in the Minnesota forecast Friday.  Ahead of it, there was already an area of severe weather that impacted northern Minnesota Thursday evening into the overnight. As of 9 a.m., what is left of that storm area is sitting almost stationary over central Minnesota: 

The area has weakened, so the morning severe threat is isolated, but heavy, persistent rain is causing areas of flash flooding, especially in west-central Minnesota.  That area of showers and storms diminishes through the morning and sags slightly south, bringing even the Twin Cities slight changes for a few isolated morning storms or showers.  

Then in the afternoon, as the cold front starts crossing the state, and fueled in part by afternoon heating, severe storms develop and track east across the state.  

Here is the current timing estimate for the severe storms:

The entire state is under the severe weather risk, with the areas highlighted in yellow on the map above likely to see scattered storms, and the brown shaded areas showing an “enhanced” risk, which means storms could be more numerous.  Damaging winds are the primary threat, but some large hail is also likely along with isolated tornadoes.  Heavy rain and localized flooding also remain a concern, and it looks like the heaviest rain will target northern Minnesota.

 Here are some resources to track storms as they develop Friday:

Most of the storms clear the state by late Friday evening as the front moves out, leaving cooler quieter weather behind it. A disturbance moving across northern Minnesota likely brings a few more showers and storms Saturday afternoon and evening, but that round of wet weather only brings an isolated chance for strong storms. 

Otherwise, sunshine returns and the state remains predominantly dry through the weekend and until at least the middle of next week.  

Cooler, less humid air also filters across the state behind Friday’s cold front, putting highs across the state mostly in the 70s and low 80s through the start of next week.  

Here is the extended forecast for the Twin Cities, showing the quieter weather trend:

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

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

Minnesota sees very active weather Friday with widespread showers and storms across the state, including areas of severe weather and heavy rain.  Much quieter weather returns over the weekend.


Widespread severe weather expected Friday

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