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It’s that time of year. Minnesota meteorologists watch every approaching low-pressure system like a hawk on a fence post. Tiny temperature changes within the storms can mean the difference between cold November rain, and a pile of fresh November snow. 

Keep in mind that the Twin Cities average snowfall in November is 6.8 inches, so we’re living on borrowed time this month without a snowflake to count yet. In a typical November, a half foot of snow is still likely to grace your still leafy lawn.

We enjoy one more fine November day with a low sun and relatively mild temperatures on Friday. Highs will run into the 50s across most of Minnesota on Friday afternoon. 

I remember in the old days growing up when we would watch TV and see those first clips from a snowy Denver this time of year. 

We knew it wouldn’t be long until the flakes flew here.

This week, a powerful November storm has dumped prolific snowfall in New Mexico and Colorado. Snowfall totals in the Denver area front range have exceeded a foot in many locations.

Snowfall in the mountains of New Mexico and southeastern Colorado has reached 2 to more than 3 feet!

Another foot of snow is on the way to the Front Range and high plains of eastern Colorado.

That same system will spin into Minnesota this weekend. The atmosphere looks warm enough for just plain rain cross Minnesota, and the system will weaken as it moves toward the state.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the system producing scattered rainfall Saturday into the first half of Sunday. The loop below runs between midnight Saturday and noon Sunday.

Overall, rainfall looks fairly light across Minnesota this weekend. Most forecast models lay out around one-quarter inch of precipitation or less in many areas. 

Here’s the Canadian model precipitation output: 

Temperatures this weekend will run in the 40s to lower 50s.

We’re getting off snow-free this weekend. But it won’t be long. NOAA’s Global Forecast System model hints at early signs of possible snow for parts of northern Minnesota by the weekend of Nov. 16-17. 

Don’t take this as gospel; this far out. But it’s a sign of things to come soon enough even if it doesn't pan out. 

Paul Huttner

Author

A major November snow system has dumped tremendous snow in Colorado. The same system brings mainly rain to Minnesota this weekend. 

Hints of snow emerging on the weather maps

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