Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Quiet weather through the holiday weekend

Wednesday remains gloomy and in the 30s

Following a mostly cloudy day Wednesday, the weather pattern turns quiet, with more sunshine and only limited precipitation chances.

Wednesday’s forecast

Behind the system that brought a light wintry mix on Tuesday, precipitation has moved out, but the stable, stagnant airmass remains. This means low stratus cloud will linger much of the day, along with light areas of for, particularly in the morning.

Because of the clouds, temperatures dropped little overnight, so lows ranged from the 20s north to 30s south. However, temperatures warm little during the day, putting highs only in the 30s.

weather graphic
Wednesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

Ahead of a cold front that passes through Minnesota Thursday, drier air starts moving into western Minnesota late Wednesday and finally starts breaking up some of the clouds from west to east into Thursday morning. This brings western Minnesota a little more sunshine by the end of the day.

weather graphic
Forecast cloud cover percentage late Wednesday afternoon
National Weather Service

Thanksgiving

Despite a cold front moving through the state on Thursday, this is going to be one of our quieter Thanksgivings weather-wise in recent years both on the holiday and through the holiday weekend.

The front is relatively dry, and actually helps break up those stubborn low clouds Minnesota sees most of Wednesday.

weather graphic
Forecast cold front location Thursday morning
National Weather Service

The only precipitation expected is a few flurries or a light dusting of snow in northern Minnesota, especially in the morning and early afternoon. There will also be a few areas of fog again Thursday ahead of the front.

weather graphic
Light snow Thursday morning
National Weather Service

The northern edge of the state also sees a few more clouds, while more sunshine prevails south.

Temperatures Thanksgiving morning will be in the 20s with a few 30s in southern Minnesota, and highs will be in the 30s and low 40s.

weather graphic
Thursday high temperatures
National Weather Service

This means throughout the day, the state runs 5 to 10 degrees above average.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Extended forecast

Behind Thursday’s front, highs dip slightly Friday with most of the state back in the 30s, but under widespread sunshine. Temperatures shoot 10 to 15 degrees above average again by Saturday, with highs varying from the upper 30s north to low 50s south, before turning seasonable again Sunday. 
Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:

weather graphic
Twin Cities forecast though Sunday
National Weather Service

The rest of next week also stays very quiet with no major storms currently in the forecast.  Meanwhile, temperatures remain near average as we head into December.

Programming note

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