Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Is this the last true shot of winter in Minnesota? 

It looks conceivable given the looks of the medium-range weather maps as we glide into April next week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s eight to 14-day temperature outlook on the map above shows the changes likely later next week. 

Temperatures Thursday continue to run about 10 degrees colder than normal across Minnesota. High in the 20s and 30s will feel brisk, but with less wind than we felt Wednesday. 

By this weekend, temperatures gradually recover with highs mostly in the 40s. 

A warmer pattern looks likely to evolve next week across our region. A massive ridge of warmer-than-normal high pressure looks to amplify next week over the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest. 

Check out NOAA’s Global Forecast System model 500-millibar height anomalies about 18,000 feet above ground level. The red areas indicate warmer-than-normal temperatures aloft, which translates to warmer-than-normal temperatures here on the ground. 

NOAA’s Global Forecast System model is cranking out highs in the 60s as we head through late next week. 

So it looks like we’ll leave this wintry landscape in central and southern Minnesota in the dust over the next week or so, possibly through next fall.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Our late March chill is about to be replaced by much milder air next week.

True spring ahead? Major warming trend next week

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox