High winds impact Minnesota Thursday, then a big warmup

A strong storm is bringing high winds and light rain and snow to Minnesota Thursday. Then temperatures soar over the weekend.

Thursday’s forecast

A strong storm is crossing Minnesota Thursday. Because of it, the entire state started the day very mild, with morning temperatures that ranged from the upper 20s to near 40. Temperatures will not rise much through the day though, and some places like the Twin Cities could even see temperatures drop a couple degrees by afternoon. Here are the expected afternoon temperatures:

The storm is also causing high winds. Most of the state will see gusts over 30 mph at times, and western and southern Minnesota will see wind gusts exceed 40 mph.

There is also a mix of predominantly light rain and snow moving across Minnesota. The precipitation is more likely to stay all snow in northern Minnesota, with some isolated freezing rain near the North Shore, and predominantly rain with a slight chance for snow to mix in for southern Minnesota. Here are the expected precipitations types and coverage expected by 1 p.m.:

While most of the precipitation stays light, parts of the Arrowhead could see snow totals over 3 to 4 inches.

Lake and Cook County are under a winter Weather Advisory until 6 p.m. due to the snow and ice potential.

The precipitation clears out across the state by Thursday evening.

Sunshine returns

Already by Friday, skies will clear and both Friday and Saturday will have plentiful sunshine. Temperatures will go from highs in the 30s and 40s Friday to milder temperatures in the 40s and 50s for Saturday.

60s, then a big temperature dive

By Sunday, a strong cold front will carve its way across Minnesota, causing a large temperature contrast across the state. For northern parts of the state, where the front passes through earlier, temperatures remain above average but only in the 30s and 40s. In southern Minnesota, the cold air moves in later, so highs will make it into the very warm 50s and 60s Sunday, before dropping on Monday.

Monday will be noticeably cooler for the entire state, although not unseasonable. Here’s how that temperature trend looks for the Twin Cities, where Monday’s temperatures are still slightly above average, but a 20-degree drop from the warmth on Sunday.

That same system will bring breezy conditions Sunday and Monday, but only very isolated chances for light rain and snow.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.