December rain, drizzle and soggy snow

Wet snow and a rain/snow mix will continue Saturday morning from southwestern Minnesota through the central part of the state to the Arrowhead in the northeast, including Jackson to Camp Ripley and up to Ely. While much of the snow is slushy and will melt as temperatures warm slightly during Saturday, some areas such as the higher terrain of the North Shore could accumulate a few inches by evening.

Meanwhile, warmer temperatures near the surface and aloft have been keeping the precipitation as rain for the Twin Cities. Light rain and drizzle have been widespread across southeastern Minnesota. Composite radar shows areas of rain in green and snow in blue. Some of the light snow farther north has been too light to be detected.

Winding down on Saturday

Expect the precipitation to taper off and gradually end from northwest to southeast as Saturday progresses. In the Twin Cities, rain should end or taper to drizzle by early afternoon.

Afternoon high temperatures will be mainly in the 30s, ranging from around 30 in the northwest corner to around 40 in the Twin Cities and the southeast such as Austin, Caledonia and Dodge Center.  

Let’s go back two years

While low clouds and rain can be dreary in December as Christmas approaches, at least we are getting needed moisture without the threat of severe weather. Wet weather was much more exciting two years ago on December 15, 2021.

That day, a power, historic spring-like storm struck Minnesota from the southwest. A squall line with severe thunderstorms reached southern Minnesota that evening. Numerous tornadoes, the first of record for Minnesota in December, were reported in south central and southeastern Minnesota.

The Twin Cities had a record high of 58 with evening thunderstorms. As the storm swirled past, it became very windy from the northwest overnight. The Twin Cities official site at MSP Airport reported a peak gust of 61 mph at around 3 a.m. on December 16. Temperatures plummeted overnight and continued to fall to a low of 15 at the end of that day.

Cooler Sunday

Sunday will be a quiet day with slightly cooler temperatures for much of the state. Highs should range from the upper 20s northeast to the upper 30s southwest. Scattered flurries are possible with little or no accumulation.

Seasonable Monday

Monday will precipitation-free and might feel cold compared to all the mild weather recently. Highs in the upper teens northeast to around 30 southwest will be close to normal for a change. The Twin Cities should max out in the mid 20s.

Then mild again

Mild temperatures will return beginning on Tuesday.

And for the rest of the week.

More rain as Christmas approaches?

It’s still a week out, but forecast models continue to point a rainmaking storm system our way for next weekend and maybe into Christmas Day.