Storm targets Minnesota with a wintry mix

Temperatures remain very mild through Wednesday, then a late-week storm brings a wintry mix of rain, snow and freezing rain plus the return of seasonable cold.

Tuesday’s weather

Although a few degrees cooler than Monday morning’s temperatures, the state started Tuesday very mild for January, with most morning lows in the teens and 20s. There are also a few areas of fog in central Minnesota that lift through the morning.

Winds stay predominantly southwest during the day and remain a bit breezier in western Minnesota. This mild flow keeps highs well above average, with almost the entire state in the 30s and a few 40s southwest. 

Skies range from party sunny north to mostly sunny south, but everyone should see sunshine Tuesday!

Snow returns

Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week for most of Minnesota, with highs varying from the mid-30s north to 40s south, putting much of the state 15 to 25 degrees above average. However, that mild weather will also contribute to a wintry mix with the approaching snowstorm. 

A winter storm is headed toward the state, with the current timing bringing precipitation into western Minnesota by Wednesday evening and across the rest of the state overnight. With lingering warm temperatures as the storm moves in, the initial precipitation will include a mix of rain and freezing rain, before converting to all snow Thursday morning.

This could make some roads slick Thursday morning, so be prepared for a dicey commute.

Snow then continues across the state through Thursday, mostly remaining light to moderate, before tapering off Friday. 

Forecast snow totals with this system are still very uncertain, both because it depends on how much of the initial precipitation comes as rain/freezing rain, and because eastern Minnesota may get another round of persistent snow on Friday. 

Because the storm is expected to intensify as it moves east, the exact location of the storm center by Friday will affect how much snow eastern Minnesota sees.

Here is the current snow forecast from the National Weather Service, but please understand this will likely change given the variables highlighted above.

Most of the snow should move out by Friday evening. It will also be windy as the storm moves through, so western Minnesota may see some reduced visibilities due to blowing snow Friday afternoon and evening, even after the snow ends there.

Temperatures turn seasonable

As the storm passes through the state, temperatures slowly turn cooler. Highs remain mostly in the 30s Thursday, then more widespread 20s Friday. By Saturday, highs will be seasonably cold for mid-January, with teens north and 20s south. 

Here is that forecast trend for the Twin Cities:

Programming note

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