Fall color burst: Classic October weekend ahead

Fall colors peaking now across much of northern Minnesota

Red sugar maple at the Weather Lab
Red sugar maple at the Weather Lab on October 6, 2022.
Paul Huttner | MPR News

It’s here!

The elusive “peak fall color” has arrived in much of northern Minnesota. The Duluth National Weather Service office reports peak fall color now at their location.

Most of northern Minnesota is reporting 75 to 100 percent fall color now. Some areas are already past peak. Here’s Thursday’s updated fall color report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Fall color report
Fall color report
Minnesota DNR

In the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota, most areas are showing 25 to 50 percent color. It’s progressing fast now, and the colder nights this weekend will help speed the change.

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In Minnesota’s Arrowhead region, photographer Bryan Hansel reported seeing a few fleeting snow flurries over Grand Marais harbor Thursday!

Classic October weekend

When I was a kid, we cleaned the basement and garage out at the family home twice a year in spring and fall. Back in those days, my dad would rent an open trailer, and we would all load in the bundles of twined-up Star Tribune newspapers and other junk that had basically collected all summer.

I vividly remember classic fall Saturdays like this weekend. Bright fall blue skies. Still-warm October sunshine. Crisp temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Gophers football with Ray Christensen’s awesome play-by-play drifting through the backyard on the radio.

This weekend brings back crisp blue autumn skies. Frost advisories and freeze warnings are up for southwestern Minnesota.

Early morning temperatures Friday and Saturday will be in the 20s and 30s across Minnesota.

Forecast low temperatures Friday morning
Forecast low temperatures Friday morning
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Highs this weekend will hover in the 50s to around 60 Saturday.

Forecast high temperatures Sunday
Forecast high temperatures Saturday
NOAA

Sunday brings slightly milder temperatures. Highs will push into the 60s from the Twin Cities south and west.

Forecast high temperatures Sunday 2
Forecast high temperatures Sunday
NOAA

By next Tuesday, highs in the 70s will return for a day.

Forecast high temperatures Tuesday
Forecast high temperatures Tuesday
NOAA

It looks like another cold front will arrive next Wednesday. Still no meaningful rain in sight.

Stay tuned.