Cold start to December; multiple light snow chances

Happy first day of meteorological winter! This past weekend certainly felt like winter, with temperatures 10-15 degrees below average. However, temperatures will gradually warm up to around the freezing point by Wednesday. Several disturbances will bring snow to various parts of the state.

Roller coaster of temperatures

Sunday will feature lighter northwest winds with temperatures warming into the upper teens to low 20s. Sunny skies to start the day with gradually increasing cloud cover out west.

Wind chills are expected to be below zero early on, but as temperatures rise, we'll see wind chills in the mid-teens by late Sunday afternoon.

Highs on Monday will reach the mid-20s with partly sunny skies. By Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures may finally rise above freezing for the first time since Nov. 25.

Multiple waves for the week

The first of three waves will arrive late Sunday, primarily impacting western and southwestern Minnesota. Snow totals are expected to be on the lower end, with anywhere from a dusting up to a maximum of 2 inches possible.

As this wave moves east, the metro area can expect to see a few flakes, with just a trace of snow likely.

The next wave, the strongest of the three, will arrive Tuesday into Wednesday. Current forecast models indicate that the majority of the snowfall will impact northern and northeastern Minnesota.

Several inches of snow could accumulate along the North Shore, while the metro area may experience just some flurries.

After the second system, temperatures will cool down into the teens and 20s for Thursday and Friday. The third wave of the week will need to be closely monitored.