Sunday flakes in some areas; colder Monday
Temps rebound by the middle of the week
This is the time of year that many people like to see snow. Some areas will see flakes this Sunday, but it won’t be enough to bring smiles to the faces of cross-country skiers or the kids who want to go sledding.
Sunday snow chances
The light snow that’s falling in northwestern Minnesota and parts of west-central Minnesota this morning is expected to spread to the east and southeast Sunday afternoon. It looks like the Twin Cities metro area could see some light snow showers or flurries anytime after about 2 pm., and that flake chance may linger into late afternoon/early evening.
Sunday snow accumulations are expected to be less than an one inch in northern and central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, with just a dusting or light coating of snow in most other areas. Winds will be gusty in many areas this afternoon.
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Temperature trends
Our average Twin Cities high temperature is 27 degrees this time of year. Some spots in the metro area could creep above 30 degrees Sunday afternoon. Highs in the lower 30s are possible in far southern Minnesota and much of western Wisconsin this Sunday, with 20s in central and northern Minnesota.
Colder air will overspread Minnesota and western Wisconsin as we go through Sunday night. Low temperatures early Monday may drop below zero in far northern Minnesota, with teens in the far south:
Monday highs will range from single digits near the Canadian border to lower 20s in far southern Minnesota:
Monday will be the coldest day so far this season in the Twin Cities, and it will also give us our coldest high temperature since February 20, when we had highs in the teens.
Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the upper 20s Tuesday and lower 30s on Wednesday. We could top out in the mid 30s on Thursday and around 40 degrees on Friday.
Above-normal temps could stay with us next weekend and into Christmas week. The NWS Climate Prediction Center shows a tendency for above-normal temps in Minnesota and Wisconsin from Dec. 20 through Dec. 26:
Keep in mind that even highs in the 30s are above-normal this time of year.
Any big storms this week?
Forecast models aren’t showing any big snowstorms in Minnesota or western Wisconsin this coming work week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System (GFS) model shows the potential precipitation pattern Monday through Friday:
Southern Minnesota sees very little precipitation this week. Northern Minnesota may see a couple of minor snow events.
Snow lovers will have to be patient.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.