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A brisk walk? Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing? Ice fishing? Snowmobile? Pond hockey?

This weekend brings nearly ideal weather conditions for outdoor winter activities in Minnesota. We’ll enjoy a mix of sun and clouds this weekend, light winds, and high temperatures mostly in the 20s — above zero.

Highs Saturday will be in the 20s across most of Minnesota. But bank thermometers may flash 40 degrees in Luverne in the southwest corner of Minnesota Saturday afternoon. 

And check out that 60 degrees in Nebraska. It will be the seventh day with highs in the 50 to near 60s in places like Lincoln this month. Winter has been highly inconsistent not far southwest of Minnesota this year.

Thro in a sun-cloud mix and light winds, and it’s going to feel great out there Saturday for just about anything outdoors. 

Overnight lows by Sunday morning actually stay above zero across most of Minnesota. 

Sunday brings slightly cooler temperatures, but still very favorable weather for outdoor activities. 

There’s plenty of snow up north to play in across Minnesota. Much of central Minnesota has more than a foot of snow on the ground. And northeast Minnesota has over 2 feet in the deep woods above Lake Superior. 

Here’s Thursday’s Minnesota DNR snow cover map.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

This looks like one of the best weekends of winter for outdoor fun in Minnesota. 

Skiers in the distance on a snowy hill at twilight.

Best weekend of winter for outdoor fun?

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