More record warmth, then a big cold snap
Dry skies continue through Saturday
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Temperature dip slightly Thursday from their recent record-setting levels, but overall, the weather stays very warm through the weekend. A strong storm sends temperatures diving next week.
Wednesday was another exceptionally warm day across Minnesota, with many places setting records for Nov. 4 and numerous locations — especially in northern Minnesota — setting records for the month.
The warmest report came from Lac qui Parle County where the town of Madison hit 82, setting a statewide record high.
Thursday’s forecast
Thanks to the record-setting warmth Wednesday, temperatures stayed milder than average overnight despite clear skies and light winds (conditions that allow temperatures to drop quickly). Morning lows started in the 30s north and 40s south.
A weak boundary has moved through Minnesota, shifting winds that have recently been mostly west and southwest to a more northwesterly component, especially through the morning.
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This slightly cooler wind pattern means temperatures will not be quite as warm as the past two days. Highs in the 50s and 60s, with a few 70s southwest, are still 15 to 20 degrees above average, but widespread records are less likely than the past two days.
Mostly sunny skies prevail again.
Warm through the weekend
Already by late Thursday, the wind pattern changes back to a more southerly flow, allowing more temperatures back in the 70s by Friday, which also means a few more records are likely.
Temperatures in the 60s and low 70s then continue through Sunday, before colder air starts spreading across the state Monday.
Colder weather returns
Along with the warm weather, the forecast stays dry and mostly sunny through Saturday. By Sunday, light rain and possibly a few thunderstorms start moving across the state ahead of a strong storm system.
That system will bring rain Monday and some snow is likely to mix in late Monday or early Tuesday as the system moves out. It also brings gusty winds Sunday and Monday, and ushers in much colder air, plunging highs into only the 30s by Tuesday.
The remainder of next week then stays near or slightly below average with highs in the 30s and 40.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.
