Weekend forecast: Nice Saturday; blustery winds, some flakes Sunday

Saturday will be the better day of the weekend for most outdoor activities, including leaf raking. A lot of us will have a bad hair day on Sunday as winds pick up. We could also see some Sunday snowflakes.

Weekend temps and winds

Our average Twin Cities high temperature on Nov. 20 is 40 degrees. The metro area will see Saturday afternoon highs in the lower 40s. Highs in the 40s are expected from southern and east-central Minnesota into western Wisconsin on Saturday:

A cold front moves into northwestern Minnesota on Saturday, delivering highs in the lower 30s to that area.

Saturday wind gusts will be in the 10-15 mph range in most areas:

Forecast gusts are in knots, with 11 knots equal to 12.7 mph.

Back to forecast highs, most of Minnesota and western Wisconsin will see Sunday highs in the 30s, with 20s in northwestern and north-central Minnesota:

Strong winds will make it feel colder than the air temperature; many areas will see Sunday wind gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range:

Forecast gusts are in knots, with 30 knots equal to 34.5 mph.

Some spots in west-central and southwestern Minnesota could see Sunday wind gusts over 40 mph.

Sunday flake chance

Some forecast models show areas of light snow moving through Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Sunday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast model shows the potential precipitation pattern for Sunday:

At this point, it looks like the Twin Cities metro area will see a light dusting of snow Sunday morning and early afternoon. Parts of far northern Minnesota could see an inch or so of snow on Sunday.

You can hear updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the Minnesota Public Radio News network, and you can see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Winter weather awareness

Nov. 15-19 is Winter Hazard Awareness Week in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Twin Cities NWS has posted some winter weather info for each day this week.

Friday’s topic is winter driving:

Automotive Safety

Minnesota Road Conditions are available by dialing 511, or accessing their web site at https://www.511mn.org

Wisconsin Road Conditions are available by calling (866) 511-9472, or on the internet at https://www.511wi.gov

Preparations

• Make sure your vehicle is ready for the season. Throughout the winter, keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas line freeze

• Carry a winter storm survival kit. The typical kit should include a large coffee can with plastic lid. Inside the can, pack high energy foods, spare batteries for a flashlight, a red bandana or cloth to tie on the antenna, and candles/matches/metal cup to melt snow for drinking water.

• Other bulky or heavy items which should be in the vehicle include a shovel, jumper cables, a bag of sand or salt for traction, basic tools, blankets or sleeping bags, a tow cable or chain, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and extra clothing

• Consider keeping a cell phone. If you dial 911 from a cell phone, remember that the dispatcher may not know your location, so you must provide it to them. However, most new cell phones do have GPS capability.

Out on the Road

• Before increasing your speed, get a feel for the traction. Remember that bridges and overpasses can be more slippery than other parts of the road. Do not brake suddenly. If you have anti-lock brakes, apply steady and firm pressure to the pedal. Do not pump anti-lock brakes

• If you begin to skid, remain calm. Ease your foot off of the gas and turn the wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go

• When driving near snowplows, remember: Stay Back, Stay Alive.  Reduce your speed. Never drive into a snow cloud. An average snowplow weighs 17 times more than an average car. If you are in a collision with a snowplow, you will lose. Be patient; follow eight seconds behind snowplows

During a Winter Storm

• Check the latest weather information as you drive

• If severe winter weather is expected, consider postponing travel

• Avoid traveling alone during a winter storm

• Always fill the gas tank before entering open country, even for a short distance

• Stock your vehicle with a winter storm safety kit

• If the storm begins to be too much for you to handle, seek refuge

If a Winter Storm Traps You

• Stay in your vehicle. Do not attempt to walk in a winter storm. You can easily become lost and disoriented in blowing and drifting snow. Staying in your car decreases your risk of frostbite and increases the chance of being rescued. make your vehicle visible to rescuers

• Beware of carbon monoxide. Run the engine a few minutes every hour, or every half hour in extreme cold. Keep one window slightly open. Make sure that snow does not block the exhaust pipe

The above recommendations are provided by the following organizations. For further information, contact any of the following:

• Minnesota Safety Council: (651) 291-9150, https://www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/

• Department of Transportation:(651) 296-3000 or (800) 657-3774, https://www.dot.state.mn.us/

• Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (651) 201-7400, https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/Pages/default.aspx

• American Red Cross: (612) 871-7676, https://www.redcross.org/local/minnesota/chapters (Minnesota) and (877) 618-6628, https://www.redcross.org/local/wisconsin/chapters (Wisconsin)

One thing not mentioned in the NWS winter driving post is cruise control. You don’t want to use cruise control when driving on wet, snowy or icy roads.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.