Record highs likely Tuesday, Wednesday and maybe Thursday

A surge of mild Pacific air pushed our way by the massive storm that has been slamming California will push our Tuesday temperatures into the April-like range. Afternoon highs should range from the upper 30s and low 40s across the north where there is snow cover to the low and mid-50s in the bare-ground southern half of the state. The Twin Cities should reach about 54 and set a new record high for this date. The current record high is 51.

That southwest flow will also bring mid-level moisture, so look for increasing clouds again.

More of the same for Wednesday

The warmer air will reach even farther into northern Minnesota on Wednesday. Highs are likely to range from the low 40s north to the mid-50s south. The Twin Cities could reach a high of 55 and break the old record high temperature of 53.

Soggy Thursday

The moisture plume and atmospheric dynamics of what will be left of that southwestern storm will reach Minnesota with rain showers Wednesday night and Thursday. Rainfalls could be in the quarter- to half-inch range for much of the state. Lesser amounts seem likely in the southeast.

Snow?

While this storm system will be warm enough to produce mainly rain, cooler air will mix into its backside as it passes through. Rain showers could become mixed with or change over to wet snow at times Thursday night and Friday, mainly in central and northern Minnesota. Slushy accumulations are possible in the northern half of the state.

Then cooler for the weekend

The weekend and into next week will be much cooler, but still warmer than normal for February.