Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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A low-pressure system and its cold front have been swirling into Minnesota on Tuesday. Much cooler air behind the cold front reached northwestern Minnesota earlier in the day and brought afternoon temperatures in the 60s to that part of the state. 

By Wednesday, the rest of Minnesota and western Wisconsin will cool to temperatures more typical of late September.

That weather system has been kicking off numerous showers and thunderstorms, mostly across northern Minnesota, during the morning and afternoon hours.

The heating of the day is likely to rev up stronger storms across eastern Minnesota by late Tuesday afternoon or early evening. 

The latest convective outlook indicates a slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe weather into Tuesday night for large portions of eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

Numerous strong and severe storms are likely to build northeastward across northeastern Minnesota and the northwest corner of Wisconsin during the evening. 

Other clusters of strong and possibly severe storms are forecast to develop rapidly by early evening in east central and southeastern Minnesota. Those storms should race northeastward into western Wisconsin.

The main severe weather risks will be severe hail and winds, but the tornado potential is non-zero.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all of eastern Minnesota and into northwestern Wisconsin until 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Weather will turn much cooler behind this weather system. Wednesday afternoon will feel like late September or early October.

Temperatures will then moderate toward the end of the week for a comfortable weekend.

Just a reminder that an air quality alert continues for Canadian wildfire smoke in northwestern Minnesota until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Smoke conditions should improve as the cold front pulls away to the east during the day.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Bill Endersen

Author

The heat wave ends Tuesday with the passage of a strong cold front. Showers and thunderstorms have been firing up. Some storms could be severe into Tuesday evening in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Heat wave ending; showers, storms into late Tuesday

NOAA Storm Prediction Center

Composite weather radar at 4 p.m. Tuesday

Heat wave ending; showers, storms into late Tuesday

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