Pleasant March weather today; snow spreads across northern Minnesota Sunday night

Our average Twin Cities high temperature is 41 degrees this time of year. Most spots in the Twin Cities metro area can expect highs in the lower 40s this Sunday afternoon. Winds will be fairly light, so I’d call it a pleasant Sunday.

Sunday highs are forecast to reach the 40s from southern Minnesota into west-central Wisconsin, with highs mainly in the 30s across central and northern Minnesota.

Temperature trends

Monday highs reach the 40s across the southern half of Minnesota and most of western Wisconsin. Most of northern Minnesota will reach the 30s, with some 20s in the far northwest:

Monday afternoon wind chill temps will be in the 20s north with 30s central and south:

Twin Cities metro area high temps are projected to reach the lower 40s Tuesday, followed by mid 40s on Wednesday and Thursday. Highs on Friday may only reach the upper 30s.

Snow moves into the north late Sunday

Some light snow is expected to move into parts of northwestern Minnesota late Sunday afternoon. As we go through Sunday evening and overnight Sunday night, snow is expected to spread across roughly the northern third of Minnesota and into parts of northwestern Wisconsin. Central Minnesota will see some snow showers by Monday morning. The snow is expected to gradually taper off from west to east on Monday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon:

The Twin Cities metro area will have a chance of snow showers or a rain/snow mix Monday morning, then a chance of scattered sprinkles Monday afternoon.

Snow amounts Sunday evening into Monday

Northern Minnesota snow amounts are expected to be in the 1 to 3 inch range from Sunday evening through Monday.

Here are NWS snow forecast amounts for northeastern Minnesota:

Here are NWS forecast snow amounts for northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota:

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

I should mention that some forecast models show the potential for several inches of snow from Thursday night into Friday in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. As we get closer to Thursday we’ll have a much better idea about who has the best chance of shovel-able snow.

Flooding along some rivers

There are flood warnings along portions of some rivers in Minnesota. Areas affected are shaded green in this National Weather Service map:

You can go the the NWS site and click on any green-shaded area for flood warning details.

Here’s the flood statement that was issued by the NWS Saturday evening:

Flood Statement National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 849 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2020 ...The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Minnesota... Minnesota River at Montevideo affecting Chippewa...Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine Counties Minnesota River near Jordan affecting Carver and Scott Counties Minnesota River at Savage affecting Dakota...Hennepin and Scott Counties ...The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Minnesota.. Minnesota River At Morton affecting Redwood and Renville Counties South Fork Crow River below Mayer affecting Carver County .Overview...Rivers where their basins have no remaining snowpack are forecast to slowly decrease in height over time. For the Minnesota River in western Minnesota, snow still exists and turn into runoff as it melts. This will raise the river level at the Montevideo gauge. The weather pattern looks to be more active next week so we will see if additional precipitation will cause more river flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Turn Around...Don`t Drown. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local radio or TV station for the latest information concerning this flood event.

Keep in mind that the flood warnings are just for small portions of the counties that are mentioned in the NWS flood statement. Check for updates if you are in the areas affected by the flood warnings.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.