Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Thursday temps well above normal; a soggy Friday developing

Snow possible Friday night in northern Minnesota

FCST
Twin Cities area forecast into Saturday
National Weather Service

Thursday will see temperatures more than 20 degrees above normal. A developing system Friday will bring rain showers turning to snow in northern Minnesota Friday night.

Very mild Thursday; rain showers Friday 

We have another very mild day Thursday. Highs will be in the 50s in portions of southern Minnesota to mid 30s in northwestern Minnesota. 

thu hi 8
Forecast highs Thursday
National Weather Service

A developing system in the southwest is making its way northeast toward Minnesota. We’ll see rain showers develop early Friday in southern Minnesota, spreading statewide Friday. 

thu-sat prec
Forecast precipitation 6 p.m. Thursday through 6 p.m. Saturday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, via Pivotal Weather

Rainfall amounts could be the most significant in many weeks. Up to one-half inch of liquid equivalent precipitation or more could fall in some areas. 

WPC QPF
Forecast total precipitation (liquid equivalent) into Saturday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

The rain will turn to snow in the evening and overnight hours Friday night. The most likely area to receive snowfall will be northeastern Minnesota.

snow
Forecast high-end snowfall totals through Saturday
National Weather Service

Computer forecast models still differ on how much snow could fall due to differences in temperature and moisture. Some models are hinting at the potential for higher snowfall amounts so we’ll need to monitor updates Thursday.

snow models
Various computer model forecasts for snowfall Friday into Saturday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

We certainly could use the moisture. The latest drought monitor showed an increase in the coverage of abnormally dry conditions across Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is also warning of fire danger with the dry conditions and lack of snow cover.

drought monitor
Latest drought monitor for Minnesota
National Drought Mitigation Center

Expect more above-normal temps

While we’ll be a little cooler by Monday, we’ll still be above normal and overall temperatures will remain well above normal. Both the six to 10-day and eight to 14-day outlooks call for 80 to 90 percent probabilities of above normal temperatures. 

6-10 day
6 to 10-day temperature outlook
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center