Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Minnesota will see somewhat of a lull in the precipitation develop mid to late Friday morning before more showers and thunderstorms develop Friday afternoon turning to heavy snow quickly Friday evening with gusty winds.

The first round of moisture with this storm system brought fresh snowfall for portions of northeastern Minnesota. Amounts were generally light, less than 2 inches.

We also saw some thunderstorms that produced hail. In southwestern Minnesota, Marshall reported hail measuring seven-tenths of an inch (.7) shortly before 1 a.m. Friday morning.

The second round of this storm system will bring more rain and thunderstorms Friday afternoon with heavy snow developing across central Minnesota and moving southeast through the evening and overnight.

Helping fuel this classic spring storm is a huge contrast in temperature and moisture. High temperature will be subfreezing in northern Minnesota to around 40 in the Twin Cities. Highs in neighboring Iowa will be in the 70s.

Thunderstorms that develop across far southern Minnesota could become severe with large hail and damaging winds.

Gusty north winds will also develop pushing in the cold air and transitioning rain over to heavy snow quickly. 

Maximum wind gusts will be up to 40-50 mph.

Snow totals will vary, but within the intense bands that develop significant totals will occur. I think most of the Twin Cities area will see 3 to 7 inches of snow but there is the possibility of higher amounts in isolated pockets where convective, heavy snow bands develop. 

It will be difficult to pinpoint where these heaviest snow bands set up until they develop.

Snow will melt rapidly this weekend as temperatures warm above freezing and potentially reach 50 for the first time Sunday in the Twin Cities area. If we don’t hit 50 until after April 4 it will be the latest first 50 in 44 years for the Twin Cities.

Another storm system develops next week with more rain and heavy snow possible in the upper Midwest Tuesday into Wednesday.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Sven Sundgaard

Author

Minnesota will see somewhat of a lull in the precipitation develop mid to late Friday morning before more showers and thunderstorms develop Friday afternoon turning to heavy snow quickly Friday evening with gusty winds.


More rain, thunder and heavy snow develop Friday

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