The dry trend of fall continues into December

Temperatures stay above average through the weekend

Following a warm November and a dry fall, December continues that pattern, starting off mild and mostly sunny for the first part of the month.

November will be remembered as a warm month across Minnesota, with most of the state ending up 4 to 6 degrees above average for the month.

For the Twin Cities, the monthly temperature was 4.9 degrees above average, which made it the 16th warmest November in records going back to the late 1800s. That was in addition to widespread records around the state, with even northern Minnesota seeing 70s early in the month. 

Here are a few of the statistics:

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Nov. 30 also ended the period form September through November that is meteorological fall (the three-month block designated for fall record-keeping purposes).

During that period, the noteworthy condition was much drier than average weather across most of the state. Portions of northwestern Minnesota even saw the second driest fall on record.  

This also means the area of the state considered “abnormally dry” expanded during the fall, with 45 percent of the state now seeing those dry conditions.

weather graphic
Drought conditions as of Nov. 24, 2020
U.S. Drought Monitor

Tuesday’s forecast

Under clear skies and light winds, morning lows for most of Minnesota dropped into the teens, with single digits in the Arrowhead.  This is seasonable for the start of December. 

However, the rest of the day turns mild thanks to sunshine and southerly winds. Highs in the 30s, with a few 40s in the southwestern corner of the state, are 5 to 10 degrees above average.

weather graphic
Tuesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

The winds will be a little breezy along the western edge of the state, gusting 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Mild weather continues

Tuesday’s weather is the start of a mild and dry pattern that likely takes us through at least the first half of December.

A weak cold front Wednesday brings only a couple more clouds, and a slight dip in temperatures Wednesday for northern Minnesota, then Thursday south.

weather graphic
Forecast cold front position Wednesday morning
National Weather Service

Overall, the mild trend keeps most of the state seeing highs in the 30s, with southern Minnesota near or slightly above 40 through the end of the week.

weather graphic
Twin Cities forecast through Saturday
Weather.us

The forecast next week looks similar, with temperatures remaining above average and only limited precipitation chances.

Programming note

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