Wet and windy, then much colder

A strong storm Wednesday brings a mix of rain and wind, then turns the entire state much colder by Thursday.  Below average temperatures then persist through much of the next week.

Wednesday’s forecast

Already Wednesday morning, a strong storm is impacting Minnesota with rain, with the center of the storm, the low pressure area, moving into western Minnesota as of 9:30 a.m.

As the low slides across north-central Minnesota during the day, it brings a mix of conditions across the state. 

First, there will be a noticeable contrast in high temperatures, with southern Minnesota still on the warmer side of the storm, making it into the 60s, while the northern edge of the state sees temperatures barely warm, staying in the 40s.

The more persistent rain, and the higher rain totals also stay on the north side of the storm, where especially northeastern Minnesota could see over one-half inch of precipitation. 

Although rain chances get much spottier the farther south you get, it is central Minnesota, just south of where the storm center is likely to track, that has an isolated risk for severe weather.  

Large hail and high winds would be the concern with any severe storms.

While the southern half of Minnesota escapes most of the accumulating rain, it will see the highest winds, with gusts exceeding 30 and 40 mph. 

This puts a broad area from around Interstate 94 and south and west of Interstate 35 under a wind advisory from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday. 

Additionally, the combination of recent dry weather, low humidity, and the high winds have the southeastern corner of the state under a Red Flag Warning Wednesday afternoon. 

The storm finally starts to move out late Wednesday, reducing the winds and taking the rain along with it. It will be cold enough that the Arrowhead could see some light snow mix in late Wednesday as the system departs.

Colder, with snow chances

Behind Wednesday’s storm, much colder weather spreads across the state. 

Highs for the entire state only make it into the 40s Thursday, with sunny skies and breezy winds. Then, temperatures remain 10 to 20 degrees below average most of this week, and much of next week too, with many days in the 30s north and 40s south. 

Overnight lows by the end of the week will only be in the 20s and 30s, meaning widespread freeze conditions.

Here is the Twin Cities forecast through Sunday showing that chilly weather:

Milder weather does return briefly on Saturday as another weather system starts impacting Minnesota, but colder air moves right back in behind that storm.

It will still be cold enough that when the next weather system moves through Minnesota a little snow could mix in with the rain in the coldest hours early Saturday and overnight Saturday into Sunday, even as far south as the Twin Cities. 

For northern Minnesota, particularly the Arrowhead, accumulating snow is likely.

We will keep you updated on the snow potential as the weekend approaches

Programming note

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