Decent weekend; temps plunge next week

Frost and freezing temps return to Minnesota next week.

NOAA GFS model seven-day temperature output for the Twin Cities.
NOAA GFS model seven-day temperature output for the Twin Cities.
NOAA | Graph by David Montgomery | Paul Huttner | MPR News

I’m giving this weekend 5 of 10 Weather Lab stars. Could be worse. Could be better.

Our weekend weather falls into the “decent” category for early to mid-April. We timed the rainfall to fall during the week. This weekend will be mostly dry across Minnesota, with the exception of steady light rain in northeast Minnesota Sunday.

It’s a pretty good weekend forecast for a bike ride, walk, or getting those spring yard chores done.

Seasonable temperatures

We’re finally getting something close to “average” in Minnesota. Sunday is milder of the two days overall. Highs make the 50s up north with low 60s south if we manage enough sun.

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Forecast high temperatures Sunday
Forecast high temperatures Sunday
NOAA

Searching for sunshine

Western Minnesota will see plenty of sunshine this weekend. We’ll be searching for peeks of sun in the Twin Cities and eastern Minnesota this weekend. Sunday may bring some sunny breaks in the Twin Cities.

Here’s NOAA NAM 3 km resolution low cloud (stratus) forecast this weekend.

NOAA NAM 3 km model low cloud product Sunday
NOAA NAM 3 km model low cloud product from 1 pm to 7 pm Sunday
NOAA via tropical tidbits

Frosty next week

Next week brings a strong cold front. Highs will be as much as 40 degrees colder by Tuesday compared to 85 degrees last Monday.

Forecast high temperatures Tuesday
Forecast high temperatures Tuesday
NOAA

When does it warm up again? 60s look possible as we approach the last weekend in April.