Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Paul Huttner

Aurora storm warning extended; first 70 in sight?

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Clouds blanketed the Twin Cities in recent nights, but northern Minnesota has enjoyed an impressive display of northern lights this week.

A relatively minor "G1" class solar storm has been an efficient producer of northern lights this week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Center has extended the storm warnings into early April 1.

3 31 G1_31Mar2017
NOAA

Tonight's so-called "auroral oval" may just clip northern Minnesota through the wee hours of Saturday morning. Those in far northern Minnesota will see the best chance of a northern light show.

3 31 aur2
NOAA

Weekend split

Saturday looks like the sunnier day this weekend. Moisture Sunday will likely produce a few more clouds and a shot at a stray shower or two. A slight shower chance lingers into Monday for the Twins home opener.

3 31 ff
NOAA

Tree pollen at high levels

Feeling a little sneezy? It could be tree pollen. Elm, alder and cottonwood pollen levels are running high.

3 31 pollen
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Rain chances Tuesday?

NOAA's Global Forecast System model advertises a possible rain system Tuesday into Wednesday. The GFS places a chance for snow on the system's northern fringes in central and northern Minnesota. It should be noted that the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Canadian models keep this system mostly south of Minnesota. This is a low-confidence situation at this point.

3 31 gfs
NOAA GFS via tropical tidbits.

First 70 in sight?

All major forecast models suggest a significant warming trend surrounding the weekend of April 8-9. The upper air pattern supports the jet stream lifting north into Canada, and ridging over the Midwest should boost temps significantly.

3 31 500
NOAA

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center locks onto the trend, and projects odds favoring warmer than average temps across a good chunk of the United States.

3 31 814temp.new (1)
NOAA

The European model cranks out temps close to 70 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by Sunday April 9. NOAA's GFS concurs that temps approaching 70 are growing more likely in about seven to 10 days.

3 31 16
NOAA GFA via IPS Meteostar

The season's first 70 degree temp in the Twin Cities may be close at hand.