Tornado watch issued for southeast Minnesota, cold front drops temperatures

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

Friday’s dynamic of snow and storms in northern and southern halves of the state, respectively, are a perfect example of April’s wacky weather. The month started off 8 degrees Fahrenheit colder than normal but rocketed up to 14 degrees warmer at certain times.

Although the weather whiplash feels unusual, climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley said it’s typical for the month of April. 

“We're still fighting for control of the Minnesota climate between the southern air masses and the northern air masses. And so we get, we get a lot of variation,” he said. 

Seeley said in April of 1982, there was a temperature change of 70 degrees in 16 hour period. 

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.

Additionally, Mark Seeley will join MPR News host Cathy Wurzer at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul on April 29th from 12pm-1pm. They will discuss their experiences working together on Morning edition for the last 26 years as well as doing the State Fair Weather Quiz. 

The program is free and you can find tickets 

Shows

Morning Edition

Weather chats with Mark Seeley

Cathy Wurzer

Host

Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley said that the intense variation in weather is expected for this time of year. 

Wacky April weather swings may feel odd but are typical of the season

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox