Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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The high of 66 degrees in the Twin Cities on Tuesday might have been the warmest we will be until next March (or possibly April, like this past cold spring). But Wednesday will be a delight. And the weekend is looking pleasant. Here’s a quick look at the next five days:

Wednesday’s sunrise was accompanied by quite an urban heat island effect for the Twin Cities area. At 7 a.m., Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was picking up urban heating from the Minneapolis city core thanks to a light northwesterly flow; it reported a rather balmy 40 degrees. 

At the same time, the Crystal, Lakeville and Lake Elmo airports, not in that warm plume, reported just 32 degrees.

High pressure settling into Minnesota will treat us to sunshine and very light wind for Wednesday. We should warm nicely, even with the sun so low in the sky. 

Afternoon highs will range from the upper 40s and low to mid-50s across the north to lows in southern Minnesota. 

The Twin Cities should warm to near 60 before the sun sets at 4:44 p.m. Light winds from the northwest early in the day will come around to the southwest later Wednesday morning and remain light. 

Cold front Thursday; seasonal temps Friday

A cold front from the Canadian Prairies will reach northwestern Minnesota with cooler air Thursday morning. Ahead of the front, central to southern Minnesota will have a windy, warm day until that front arrives in the late afternoon or early evening. 

The Twin Cities will have a gusty south wind that should boost afternoon temperatures into the low 60s. The front is forecast to reach the metro area around suppertime, to be followed by falling temperatures as the evening progresses.

Winds will diminish for Friday as the seasonable air settles in. Highs should range from the low 30s in the northeast to the mid 40s southwest. The Twin Cities should see a high in the low 40s, which is average.

Temperatures will be on the mild side for the weekend and provide a couple days to corral all those leaves that have been blowing around and will do so again on Thursday. 

Highs are likely to be in the upper 30s in the Arrowhead, 40s for most of the state, and low to mid-50s in the southwest both Saturday and Sunday. The Twin Cities should warm to the upper 40s and might touch 50.

A weak weather system will bring scattered light rain to Minnesota on Monday. A dusting of light snow is possible in the north. The weather will turn chillier after that system departs. The Twin Cities could see a high only in the 30s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

By Thanksgiving next Thursday, much of Minnesota might be looking at highs in the 20s with some afternoons just in the teens up north. Late November can do that to you.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Bill Endersen

Author

A sunny, comfortable day more typical of early October for Wednesday. Cooler by Friday. Colder next week.

Twin Cities National Weather Service

NOAA Weather Prediction Center

Forecast high temperatures for next Wednesday

Brilliant mild sunshine Wednesday; turning cold next week

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