Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Minnesota is renowned for rapid and extreme weather changes. It’s because we live in the middle of a continent. Air masses sweep in freely from many directions. In winter and summer temperature changes tend to be more subtle. Wicked cold fronts are rare in July. Balmy warm fronts are scarce in Janaury.

But wildly different air masses blow into Minnesota in spring and fall. That’s why Septembers bring 85 degrees one week, and frost the next. 

If variety is the spice of life, Minnesota is plenty spicy.

Our late October-like air mass is here to stay this week. Temperatures bottom out Friday morning. More freezing mornings are on the way for northern and central Minnesota into the weekend. 

Frost looks likely to me in the Twin Cities suburbs Friday morning. But we’ll probably escape a freeze once again in the inner Twin Cities urban core inside the 494/694 freeway loop.

I’m still watching what looks like another significant warming trend late next week. The upper air forecast maps continue to show the jet stream retreating into Canada once again later next week. This pattern brings warmer air into Minnesota.

Forecast models suggest 60s and a few 70s next week in the Twin Cities and southern/western Minnesota. NOAA’s 16-day GFS model suggests more 70s and even a shot at 80 degrees again by the weekend of October 10-11.

NOAA’s week 3 to 4 temperature outlook favors milder than average weather overall into mid-October.

If you cover up your tender annuals through the weekend in the Twin Cities they may last well into October.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Big temperature changes continue through next week in Minnesota.

NOAA

Low temperature forecast for Twin Cities area Friday morning

Upper air forecast map for 7 pm October 8

NOAA GFS model 16-day temperature outlook for Minneapolis 

Frost chances Friday morning; 60s and 70s return next week

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