Winter storm warnings in northern Minnesota

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Cooler weather behind Wednesday’s storm means an increasing frost risk through Saturday morning, before sunshine over the weekend sends temperatures back above average.

The potent storm that brought rain and high winds to Minnesota Wednesday still has its center of low pressure just north of the state, even though most of the precipitation has moved east. Because of that location, breezy conditions continue across Minnesota, with much of the state occasionally seeing gusts over 20 mph.

Most of Minnesota is also still under cloudy skies, although there are some breaks in southern Minnesota as of Thursday morning. In general, sunshine will increase south during the day while northern Minnesota stays mostly cloudy.

The northern edge of the state is also likely to see a couple light, lingering rain showers.

Almost all of Minnesota started Thursday in the 40s. In cooler air behind the storm, highs only make it into the 50s, which is seasonable for mid-October, but a noticeable change from the warmth the state has seen most of the month.

Highs drop a couple more degrees Friday, with most of the state still in the 50s, but a few more 40s north.

While those temperatures are actually very close to average highs, this October has been so warm that it will be the coldest weather so far this month.

Because of the cooler weather, a few spots in central and northern Minnesota will already see frost Thursday morning. However, the chillier day on Friday combined with clear skies overnight make Saturday likely to be the coldest morning this week. Much of the state is forecast to dip into the mid-30s by Saturday morning making widespread frost probable. 

The Twin Cities may stay mild enough to miss getting frost, but the suburbs could see some patches of frost, especially in open or low-lying areas.

Under plentiful sunshine, temperatures start warming again Saturday, and most of the state is back above average in the 60s by Sunday.

Here is that temperature trend for the Twin Cities: 

Next week looks predominantly dry and temperatures remain mild for at least the first half of the week.

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

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

Cooler weather behind Wednesday’s storm means an increasing frost risk through Saturday morning, before sunshine over the weekend sends temperatures back above average.


The weekend holds both frost and highs back in the 60s

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