Super warm start to March; cooler weather pattern ahead

The first 13 days of March have felt more like April. Or May. Temperature are running about 14 degrees warmer than normal in the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota so far this March.

We already recorded the earliest 70-degree temperature on record, on March 3. So far this month we’ve already basked in five days of 60-degree or warmer temperatures in the Twin Cities and most of southern Minnesota.

Keep in mind that the normal high and low Wednesday are 40 and 24 degrees in the Twin Cities. If March can finish warmer than normal it will be the 12th straight warmer-than-normal month in Minnesota.

So it’s a bit of weather news when a pattern change suggests much colder temperatures.

Highs Thursday will still hover in the low 50s in southern Minnesota, but note the colder air gathering up north.

The low-pressure system tracking through Iowa Thursday is taking a more southerly route. Unfortunately, that means less rainfall for southeastern Minnesota.

Behind the system is a surge of seasonably colder air. Highs will hover in the 30s by Sunday with a few snow flurries possible.

It’s been hard to keep the temperature down near normal for several months. Highs will rise back through the 40s and 50s by Tuesday of next week.

There are a few signs of possible rain and or snow for parts of Minnesota late next week and again around March 24.

Stay tuned.