Much warmer air returns to Minnesota with possible rain, snow Thursday

After one last cold morning early Tuesday, temperatures will be near normal Tuesday afternoon with increasing cloud cover. Wednesday will see widespread highs in the 30s. The next system brings the chance of rain and snow Thursday.

Much milder days ahead

High temperatures Tuesday climb into the 20s for most of the state for the first time in more than a week. Cloud cover will also increase as warmer air moves up and over the retreating cold.

It’s the time of year that when we warm up, we’re often cloudy due to warmer air containing more moisture moving up over cold, snow covered ground. The moisture condenses out as a broad area of cloud cover. It will still be very mild with highs in the 30s Wednesday into the weekend for much of southern Minnesota.

Rain, snow possible Thursday

With the much warmer air mass sitting over Minnesota Thursday, the next round of moisture could fall as some rain showers in southeast Minnesota. Colder air will sneak into northwest Minnesota allowing for snow to develop in portions of Minnesota, especially Thursday night.

Beyond that, temperatures remain above normal for the New Year’s Eve/Day holiday into the first days of January.