Sunny again Tuesday; cool snowy March bias continues

Silver linings, people.

Minnesotans are among the most winter-loving people on earth. But even the hardiest of us can get weary of the snow this time of year. Especially when you’re running out of places to put all that snow.

So a couple of bright sunny days can go a long way to lifting spirits in March. Yes, it’s still chilly out there. But did you feel the warmth of that increasing March sun angle Monday?

We’re now gaining more than 3 minutes of daylight per day. Notice how many sidewalks and driveways that used to stay all snow and ice are melting off these days?

I know, I know. It’s still cold with a snowy winterscape out there. Monday’s high of 31 degrees in the Twin Cities is still below the average high of 40 degrees. But we’re getting there.

Slowly.

Milder air ahead

We enjoy another sunny day Tuesday across most of Minnesota. Highs will reach the 30s again in most areas.

By Wednesday, highs will push to the 40s across most of eastern Minnesota.

I updated our inbound likely storm system for Thursday and Friday in an earlier post today.

Right now most forecast models favor mostly snow for central and northern Minnesota, with a rain-to-snow scenario for the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota.

Cool March bias continues

Our overall weather pattern continues to favor cooler and snowier than average weather this month.

NOAA’s 8 to 14-day temperature outlook favors cooler-than-average temperatures.

And the precipitation outlook slightly favors wetter-than-average weather for the rest of this month.

So it’s likely we’ll continue to climb the top 10 ladder for the snowiest season this month.

Looking for rays of hope for spring? So far NOAA’s CFS2 climate outlook for April has a slightly mild bias for much of the U.S.

Let’s hope April is kind this year.