Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Showers continue across Minnesota Thursday and Friday, then finally clear out Saturday.  Temperatures stay cooler for most of the state.

The storm that has been bringing Minnesota rain since Tuesday is still pushing wet weather across the state as of Thursday morning.  

Cloudy skies and all the moisture moderated temperatures again Wednesday night, so most of the state started Thursday in the 40s, although there are a few 30s north and 50s southeast. We can expect similar morning temperatures Friday.

The low pressure of the storm is actually sitting right at the southern border as of Thursday morning, and this is has been causing a more easterly wind flow in southeastern Minnesota, while the rest of the state has a more northerly flow.  

This storm position has kept southeastern Minnesota from seeing some of the more persistent rain, with even occasional breaks of sunshine. That slightly drier trend plus not having the cooler wind flow had southeastern Minnesota in the 70s on Wednesday, while much of the state was stuck in the 40s for highs.  

A similar temperature contrast sets up Thursday afternoon, with most of the state staying in the 40s all day, while just the southeastern corner of the state gets into the upper 60s.

The low pressure finally begins slowly sliding east on Friday, keeping western Minnesota in the 40s for highs, while eastern Minnesota sees 50s.

Although the entire state can expect periods of showers and occasional storms Thursday and Friday, the more persistent bands are likely to set up in western Minnesota Thursday and central to northern Minnesota on Friday. This pattern brings most of the state a half-inch to an inch of additional rainfall through Friday, with lower amounts expected on the eastern edge of Minnesota.

By Saturday morning, the rain starts to clear out west to east, and should move out for most of the state by midday. Clouds also clear, with more sunshine by the afternoon.

Sunday also stays predominantly dry, although spotty showers could return to northern Minnesota by the afternoon or evening. 

Despite the drier weather and return of sunshine, temperatures do not rise too much over the weekend, as winds stay predominantly from the north. 

Highs Saturday will be mostly in the 50s, with a few 60s possible in southern Minnesota by Sunday.  

On the right is the forecast for the Twin Cities:

Another system moves through Minnesota from late Sunday into Monday, and while it currently does not look like that storm will carry heavy rain, it could be cold enough overnight Sunday for some snow to mix in for northern Minnesota.

Behind that, temperatures turn even lower, with highs only in the 30s and 40s possible by Tuesday.

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

Showers continue across Minnesota Thursday and Friday, then finally clear out Saturday.  Temperatures stay cooler for most of the state.


Periods of rain through Friday

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