Highs in the 70s return Thursday

Southerly winds nudge temperatures a few degrees higher on Thursday under widespread sunshine.

Thursday’s forecast

Thanks to clear skies overnight, Minnesota is off to another crisp start Thursday morning, with 30s in the Arrowhead (with another frost advisory until 8 a.m.), much of the state in the 40s, and a few 50s south and west.

Although cool, these temperatures are a couple degrees warmer than Wednesday morning thanks to a southerly wind flow. That wind pattern helps warm almost the entire state back into the 70s Thursday, putting temperatures at to slightly above average.

Sunshine prevails during the day, but by late Thursday evening, western Minnesota starts to see more clouds.

Those clouds are ahead of a cold front that moves through Friday, bringing rain chances and cooler temperatures along with it.

That extended forecast will be updated around 9:30 a.m.

Programming note

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