Minnesota stays on a temperature rollercoaster through the weekend

After a brief return to milder temperatures, we take another artic dive the second half of the week, with another drop early next week. The same system that brings the next temperature tumble also brings a fresh coat of snow to Minnesota.

Our next storm

Following a much milder day Monday than the weekend chill, temperatures stay seasonable overnight, with Tuesday morning low ranging from a few negatives north to the low teens south. This is very close to average lows for early January.

Highs will also be seasonable Tuesday to slightly above average south, with most of Minnesota in the 20s and a few teens north and 30s south.

By Tuesday afternoon, a strong storm starts moving snow across the state, with more persistent snow overnight Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Snow ends west by late Wednesday morning, and east by late afternoon, although blowing snow could be a concern even after new snow quits falling.

Totals are forecast to be around 2 inches in the Twin Cities, with up to 4 inches in portions of northern Minnesota, and higher amounts near the North Shore.

The low pressure of the storm is forecast to track directly over southern Minnesota Tuesday afternoon and evening, causing high winds and pulling in much colder air behind it.

Winds overnight Tuesday and Wednesday morning will gust to at least 20 mph for all of the state, with gusts over 40 mph expected in southern and western Minnesota.

Temperatures plunge

The cold front of the storm will be through the state by late Tuesday, and the gusty winds will draw colder air across Minnesota through the day Wednesday. This means most places will set highs for Wednesday at midnight, then temperatures will fall, with colder weather in the single digits for most of Minnesota by the afternoon.

Temperatures continue to plummet overnight, with all of Minnesota below zero by Thursday morning, and most of the state seeing negative temperatures all day. Friday will be the coldest morning, with lows in the negative teens and 20s. Windchills by Friday morning could easily be minus 20 to minus 40.

Overall the coming arctic outbreak will be fairly similar in temperatures to the cold air Minnesota just saw Saturday into Sunday morning. By Friday, most of Minnesota makes it back above zero again.

Here is that temperature forecast for the Twin Cities through Friday:

Saturday is currently forecast to be milder again, with highs in the teens and 20s, but another cold snap looks likely early next week, making another round of subzero temperatures probable.

We will keep you updated as each coming round of frigid air approaches!

Programming note

 You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.