Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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The atmosphere takes a sharp turn for the colder later this week across Minnesota. Widespread freezing temperatures cover most of Minnesota by early Friday morning. 

That means the atmosphere will be cold enough for the season’s first snowflakes if any precipitation falls. 

A couple of forecast models suggest the atmosphere could squeeze out a little rain or a few snowflakes this weekend. The European and Canadian models seem to latch onto a low-pressure area across northern Minnesota by Saturday. This could bring a mix of rain and snowflakes. 

The Canadian model is more aggressive and brings potential accumulating snow to far northern Minnesota this weekend. It also suggests a band of accumulating snow across far southern Minnesota and Iowa. It should be noted that this model is an outlier solution right now.

Further south, the atmosphere looks drier. But the Twin Cities NWS office is already slipping the S-word into the long-term 

The average date for the first inch of snow in the Twin Cities is November 16. But is has occurred as early as Sept. 26, (1942) and as late as Jan. 21. (2005)

 from the Minnesota DNR Climate Working Group.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

The season’s first snowflakes may fly this weekend in parts of Minnesota.

Snow in downtown Minneapolis stays put for the first time this season.

Ellen Schmidt | MPR News file

NOAA

ECMWF via pivotal weather

Canadian model snowfall potential by Monday

First flakes of the season for parts of Minnesota this weekend?

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