Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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It’s been a dry month across Minnesota. 

A check of precipitation over the past 30 days shows little rainfall in much of northwest Minnesota. 

Precipitation totals are running less than 25-percent of average across most of Minnesota over the past 30 days. 

We can use some rainfall, and it’s on the way. 

A look at the upper air forecast charts heading into this weekend shows a warm southwest flow aloft across the Upper Midwest. 

That will push temperatures and dew points higher. Highs will surge well into the 80s Friday through Sunday across Minnesota. Right now Saturday looks like the warmest day. Highs may approach 90 degrees in some areas. 

The higher temperatures come with rising dew points. Watch the feed of tropical moisture Friday and Saturday below. Dew points will push into the upper 60s to near the tropical 70-degree mark this weekend. 

Several waves of rain and thunder will cross Minnesota through this weekend and early next week. It may culminate in a potentially bigger, more organized storm system next Monday. 

Rainfall totals are usually more localized during summerlike thunderstorms. But many forecast models suggest overall precipitation totals could reach 1 to 3 inches locally by next Tuesday evening.

That should help eat away at the drought regions in Minnesota favoring the northwest and southeast corners of our state.

Stay tuned, and keep your favorite radar app handy. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

A June-like weather pattern emerges this week.

Midwest Regional Climate Center

Precipitation departure from average over the past 30 days

Upper air forecast map for 7 pm Sunday May 23

NOAA

NOAA GFS dew point forecast Friday and Saturday

NOAA via tropical tidbits

NOAA GFS precipitation output through Tuesday May 25

Thundery 80s ahead: A June-like weather pattern emerges this week.

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