Record warmth likely next week

Dry skies prevail through the weekend

Already mild temperatures turn even higher by Sunday, putting parts of Minnesota in a position to set record highs. Plus, needed rain returns and we may even see thunderstorms next week.

Friday’s forecast

Minnesota started mild again Friday, with morning lows from the teens north to low 30s south. This is 10 to 15 degrees above average for early March. However, with most areas below freezing, continue to watch for morning areas of black ice as moisture from the daily snow melt refreezes.

Friday’s weather will be very similar to Thursday, with just a few more clouds. Highs for most of the state make it back into the 40s, with a few 50s south and west, continuing the major thaw the state has seen this week.

weather graphic
Friday high temperatures
National Weather Service

Record highs possible

The recent weather pattern holds again on Saturday, with some morning fog and black ice followed by mostly sunny skies. The majority of the state sees highs in the 40s, with a few 50s south and west.   

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By Sunday, the winds shift, bringing in gusty winds from the south. 

weather graphic
Windy conditions expected Sunday
National Weather Service

That warm wind flow, combined with the reducing snow cover should push temperatures for most of the state into the 50s, with a few 60s south. For northern Minnesota, this puts highs near records.  For example, the record high in Bemidji on Sunday is 54, which is also the current forecast high.

Temperatures nudge even higher in southern Minnesota by Tuesday, with widespread 60s and a few spots close to 70. This could shatter record highs on Tuesday, including for the Twin Cities, which could make it into the mid-60s, while the current record for March 9 is 61.

weather graphic
Twin Cities forecast through Wednesday
National Weather Service

Midweek storm

Dry skies are likely to continue through Monday. Then a storm moves in that may bring a little rain and snow to northern Minnesota Tuesday, with more widespread precipitation Wednesday. 

weather graphic
Forecast storm location Wednesday
National Weather Service

Much of the precipitation Wednesday is likely to be rain, given the high temperatures. In fact, there could even be a few thunderstorms.

The exact track of the storm and precipitation amounts are still uncertain, but we will update details here on Updraft as the system approaches next week!

Programming note

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