Enjoy a glorious November week

This week is our well-earned reward for enduring that frigid, record-snowy second half of October.

Monday was a delightful day with most temperatures a bit higher than normal. The rest of the week will be much warmer, and perfect for completing fall outdoor tasks and simply enjoying the extended balminess that is so rare in November.

Much warmer-than-normal afternoons coming our way

The warmup will hit with full force on Tuesday. Afternoon high temperatures will be in the upper 50s in northeastern Minnesota from Ely and the Boundary Waters to Grand Marais and Two Harbors. Low 60s will characterize the afternoon for the rest of northern Minnesota including Walker, Grand Rapids, Hibbing and Duluth. Farther south, upper 60s will be the highs for around St. Cloud and Elk River and east to Hudson, Wis. Southeastern Minnesota, including Rochester, Wabasha and Winona, will also see highs in the upper 60s.

The highest temperatures Tuesday afternoon are likely to be in southwestern Minnesota where some highs should reach the mid- or even upper 70s.

The Twin Cities forecast for Tuesday is for sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s in the northern and eastern metro, while slightly higher temperatures into the low 70s are likely for Minneapolis and the southwestern suburbs. The average high for this date is 49. The record high is 74. The wind will be mainly from the south around 10 to 15 mph.

More of the same into the weekend

Much higher-than-normal temperatures will continue well into the weekend. Look for winds to pick up considerably on Friday and Saturday.

Transition day Sunday

Sunday should bring the arrival of periods of rain and thunderstorms ahead of a strong cold front. Spotty snow is possible behind the front Sunday night before a Canadian blast knocks our temperatures well down the thermometer beginning on Monday. Tuesday will be colder yet as November really kicks in. The Twin Cities could see a high only in the mid-30s next Tuesday.