Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Spring fever outbreak: Twin Cities may see 50 degrees, record warmth Saturday

Temps more than 20 degrees warmer than normal late this week

NOAA 6 to 10-day temperature outlook
Six to 10-day temperature outlook
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Here come the California breezes.

On the map below, you can already see the bubble of mild air building Wednesday afternoon to the southwest of Minnesota.

Temperatures
Temperatures Wednesday afternoon
Oklahoma Mesonet

This week’s Pacific flow will blow far milder-than-normal air into Minnesota into the upcoming weekend. Temperatures in the Twin Cities by Saturday will run more than 20 degrees above our normal high of 28 degrees.

What little snow we have left across southern Minnesota will be just remnant snow plow piles late this week as bare grass returns to our landscape. The inbound solar radiation from ample sunshine will be even more efficient at heating our atmosphere as the snow melts.

Albedo snow cover
Albedo of various surfaces
NOAA

We walk up the temperature ladder this week with highs in the 40s in the Twin Cities and more 50s in the south by Thursday afternoon.

Forecast high temperatures Thursday
Forecast high temperatures Thursday
NOAA

We step up another few rungs by Friday afternoon.

Forecast high temperatures Friday
Forecast high temperatures Friday
NOAA

Saturday — Valentine’s Day — brings the warmest day of this week with highs in the 50s all the way to the Twin Cities.

The record Twin Cities high for Feb. 14 is 50 degrees, set in 1882. We have a decent shot to tie or break that 144-year-old record on Saturday.

Forecast high temperatures Saturday
Forecast high temperatures Saturday
NOAA

A weak cold front may trim a few degrees Sunday, but highs in the 50s to 60 degrees far south look likely again by Monday of next week.

Forecast high temperatures Monday
Forecast high temperatures Monday
NOAA

Rain, snow possible next Tuesday

We all know we’re not done with wintry weather in these parts. The maps for next week favor a possible rain and snow system crossing Minnesota Tuesday.

The map below shows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System run for next Tuesday. I fully expect it to change, but it does favor the notion of a possible rain or snow system toward the middle of next week.

NOAA GFS model
Global Forecast System model next Tuesday
NOAA, via Tropical Tidbits

It’s too early to tell who will ultimately see rain or snow next week, but it’s worth watching.

Until then, prepare for an extended February thaw through the upcoming weekend.

Stay tuned.