Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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The Sunday high temp at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was 38 degrees, and it occurred shortly after 9 a.m. and just before a cold front arrived. 

The Sunday cold front ushered in colder air plus strong winds that lingered well into the afternoon across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Temperatures were falling Sunday afternoon in most areas. 

MSP airport reported a peak Sunday wind gust of 54 mph. To put that into context, summertime severe thunderstorm warnings are issued for winds of 58 mph or higher.

The Duluth NWS has posted some peak Sunday wind gusts from northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin:

A gale warning continues for Lake Superior through Sunday evening, ending at 2 a.m. this Monday:

A wind advisory continues until midnight this Sunday along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

You can hear updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the Minnesota Public Radio News 

, and you can see updated weather info on the MPR News 

Our average Twin Cities high temperature is 39 degrees this time of year. Most of the metro area will see Monday highs in the low to mid 30s. Monday highs will range from 20s in northern Minnesota to lower 40s in the southwest:

Winds will be much lighter on Monday, with many areas seeing gusts in the 10-16 mph range:

Forecast gusts are in knots, with 10 knots equal to 11.5 mph. Gusts along the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota could top 20 mph at times.

Back to forecast highs, Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the upper 40s on Tuesday, followed by mid 40s on Wednesday. We’re projecting a chilly 30 degree high temp on Thanksgiving, followed by lower 30s on Friday.

Thanksgiving travel weather looks good at this point. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System (GFS) model shows the potential precipitation pattern for Wednesday through Thursday:

The loop has 6 hour gaps between images, but it shows very little precipitation in Minnesota or Wisconsin in the Wednesday through Thursday time frame.

Check forecast updates in the coming days.

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ron Trenda

Author

Our Sunday featured window-rattling winds. We have details on those wind gusts, plus a look at the much lighter winds that are on tap for Monday. You’ll be happy to hear that the weather this week looks good for travelers.

Sunday wind gust of 54 mph at MSP; a cool Monday, then temps rebound

Go Deeper.

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