Cooler but still well above normal this week

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Overnight clouds held up temperatures across about the southern half of Minnesota, where most low temperatures have been in the 20s.

Meanwhile, northern Minnesota has been seasonably chilly. Warroad and International Falls reported 5 degrees at 7 a.m. while Ely had dropped to zero.

Wednesday will be a mild day with bright sunshine and a southwest breeze to boost our temperatures.  Afternoon temperatures from around 30 in the northeast to the low and mid 40s in the southwest. The Twin Cities should have a high around 39 under mostly sunny skies with a southwest breeze of about 10 mph.

Thursday will feel more like early November. High temperatures will warm into the 40s for most of the state with the Twin Cities reaching about 46. Upper 30s will linger in the northwest corner.

Scattered rain and snow Friday into Saturday

Areas of rain and snow will spread into northern Minnesota on Friday and drift southeast across the state later that day and Friday night. Temperatures close to freezing and fluctuating by time of day will lead to changing precipitation type at times.

In general, about the northern half of Minnesota could get some accumulating snow while southern parts, including the Twin Cities, should see mostly light rain with maybe a little snow mixed in at times.

Precipitation could linger into Saturday in southeastern Minnesota.

High temperatures on Saturday should be on the mild side, mostly in the 30s.

Dry, warmer Sunday and well into next week

Sunday looks like a dry day with highs from the low 30s to low 40s.

Fall-like temperatures should persist well into next week.

White Christmas not totally out of the question

A storm system is likely to head our way from the southwest late next week. It is likely to pull in mild air on its front side, which could lead to rain on its east side and snow on its west side. 

Whether or not snow falls on much of Minnesota could depend on the actual track of the low-pressure center.

The eight to 14-day temperature outlook for Dec. 20-26 shows why I can’t be very confident that we will get significant snow.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Bill Endersen

Author

Mild, precipitation-free weather for Wednesday and Thursday. Scattered rain and snow likely Friday into Saturday.

NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Forecast weather map for Friday and Friday night

Warmer-than-normal temperatures Wednesday and Thursday

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