Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Cooler again through Friday; 70s possible Sunday afternoon

Another spring temperature roller coaster ride ahead for Minnesota

Forecast high temperatures Sunday
Forecast high temperatures Sunday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

We’re catching another ride on the Minnesota weather roller coaster.

It was a 2-for-1 special on fronts Wednesday for Minnesota. The warm front pushed temperatures up into the low 60s in the Twin Cities around midday — for almost an hour.

Temperatures at MSP Airport
Temperatures Wednesday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
NOAA

Then the cold front slammed cooler air right back in from the northwest.

Temperatures
Temperatures Wednesday afternoon
Oklahoma Mesonet

The milder air never made it to northern Minnesota. Snow squalls dropped visibility and coated areas with an April layer of snow.

Here’s the view Wednesday afternoon from Whiteside Park in Ely:

Whiteside Park in Ely Wednesday
Whiteside Park in Ely on Wednesday
City of Ely webcam

Temperatures head lower by Thursday morning with 30s south and some 20s north.

Forecast low temperatures Thursday
Forecast low temperatures Thursday morning
NOAA

Thursday brings some clouds and the colder weather linger into Friday. Friday looks like a sunny and cool but nice day across Minnesota with light winds.

Forecast high temperatures Friday
Forecast high temperatures Friday
NOAA

Springlike weekend ahead

The weekend brings typical spring weather to Minnesota. That means some milder temperatures by Sunday afternoon, but also some April showers and possibly thunderstorms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model is similar to those that show the best chances for heavier rain and thunder Saturday night into Sunday morning. Check out the map below.

NOAA GFS model
Global Forecast System model Saturday and Sunday
NOAA, via Tropical Tidbits

If the system tracks as modeled, there’s a chance southern Minnesota will break into a warmer air mass Sunday afternoon.

That would push highs into the 70s in the south Sunday.

Forecast high temperatures Sunday
Forecast high temperatures Sunday
NOAA

Stay tuned.