Temps warmest since Nov. 26; 30s-40s return for weekend
Temps hit 50 degrees Wednesday in Waskish on Upper Red Lake
Bank thermometers found some new numbers Wednesday in Minnesota.
A surge of mild Pacific air, combined with a higher and more potent February sun, sent temperatures soaring to the highest levels in more than two months. Highs reached the 40s over many parts of Minnesota Wednesday.
The Twin Cities topped out at 45 degrees Wednesday. That’s nearly 20 degrees above the average high of 26 degrees, and just 5 degrees shy of the record high of 50 degrees. It was the warmest day since Nov. 26.
A little cooler Thursday
A storm system passing southeast of Minnesota will bring a few more clouds and cooler temperatures Thursday. Highs will still run well above average.
Thursday also brings a snow system for much of eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin. The Canadian model at midday Thursday is similar to many forecast models that show a stripe of heavy snowfall from eastern Iowa into southern Wisconsin.
A band of 4 to 8 inches will cover much of the region by Thursday evening. Far southeastern Minnesota, especially Houston County, will get clipped by a couple of inches of snow.
After a cooler but near-average Friday, we likely warm up into the 30s to lower 40s again through the upcoming weekend into next week.
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