Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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A potent storm targets Minnesota over the weekend, bringing the first significant snowfall of the season.  It also reinforces a colder pattern that stays in place all of next week.

Minnesota started chilly with 20s north and 30s south. Even the southeastern corner of the state saw below-freezing conditions Friday morning, making it the last part of Minnesota still to see a freeze warning earlier Friday. The rest of the state no longer has those warnings issued as the growing season is considered over. 

Highs stay cool and about 10 to 15 degrees below average Friday, in the 30s north and 40s south.  

A disturbance that moved through overnight is bringing enough instability for a few isolated sprinkles or flurries, especially during the morning hours.  But overall, it will stay mostly dry with partly sunny skies.

Overnight Friday, a strong storm starts moving rain and snow across the state. The center of the storm tracks across southern Minnesota through the day Saturday.  

This will keep most of the moisture in northern Minnesota, while also keeping that part of the state colder, with highs in the 30s, while southern Minnesota briefly gets milder air and highs in the 50s. That combination of colder air and more moisture means much of northern Minnesota could see 1 to 4 inches of snow beginning in the early hours Saturday through Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning travel could be treacherous. Some isolated spots could see even higher snow totals, especially near Lake Superior. 

Meanwhile, the southern half of the state mostly sees occasional light rain Saturday, but as temperatures drop overnight Saturday, even southern Minnesota could get some light snow early Sunday morning.

As the storm moves away, most of the precipitation clears out by late Sunday morning.

The pattern next week stays more active, bringing at least some chance for rain or snow most days. This unsettled weather also keeps reinforcing the colder air across the state. Because of this, below average temperatures continue the entire week, with highs mostly in the 30s and 40s north and 40s south.  

Here is the Twin Cities forecast through Tuesday, showing the colder air return after the slightly milder day Saturday:

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

Minnesota News

Weather and Climate News

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Greater Minnesota

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

Shovel? Check. Boots? Yep. Coat? Got it. Good — you’re gonna need them. A potent storm targets Minnesota over the weekend, bringing the first significant snowfall of the season. It also reinforces a colder pattern that stays in place all of next week.

Blizzard conditions and big Lake Superior waves in Duluth

The first significant snowfall of the season hits this weekend

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