First dip below 32 degrees; milder temps on Saturday
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The temperature at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport dipped to 31 degrees early this Friday morning. It was our first "official" trip below the 32 degree mark in the Twin Cities this autumn.
We touched 32 degrees at the airport just before midnight Thursday night, so that will go into the books as the Twin Cities low temp for Oct. 11. According to the Minnesota State Climatology Office, the median date of our first 32 degree reading at the airport is Oct. 8:
You'll notice that some areas away from the center of the metro typically see their first 32-degree reading in late September.
A few spots with snow cover in northwestern Minnesota had lows in the teens this morning.
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Temperature trends
The northern third of Minnesota will probably see highs in the 30s this Friday afternoon, with 40s in the central and south.
On Saturday, the northern half of Minnesota should reach the 40s, with 50s in the south:
Colder air returns on Sunday, with highs in the 30s in northern and central Minnesota and some lower 40s south:
Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach about 54 on Saturday and 42 on Sunday.
We won't be close to our average Twin Cities high temp for this time of year, which is 60 degrees.
Twin Cities highs are projected to be around 42 on Monday, followed by 50 on Tuesday, 54 Wednesday and 60 on Thursday.
Rain and snow chances
The northern half of Minnesota could see some occasional rain showers on Saturday, possibly mixed with a few flakes in the far north early in the day.
Far southern Minnesota will have a chance of late afternoon/early evening showers.
On Sunday, snow showers or a rain/snow mix will be possible in about the northern third of Minnesota.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern this weekend:
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of rain or snow.
Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you can see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.
Fall colors
If you’re planning some leaf-peeping in Minnesota, you’ll be interested in the latest fall color report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:
Keep in mind that all deciduous trees are included in the fall color report, not just maples.
A Wisconsin fall color report is also available.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.