Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Snowy Thursday afternoon; brisk northwest winds

Another chance for snow this weekend

Surface analysis showing cold front
Surface analysis showing cold front
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Prediction Center

Light snow showers continue to track across the state Thursday afternoon, moving from from west to east. Accumulations remain minimal, while northwest winds continue to strengthen.

A second, more powerful system is expected to move in Saturday night into Sunday, bringing another chance for some snow.

Winds set to rise behind clipper system

Current surface analysis reveals a cold front moving across the state. Light snow accumulations, ranging from a dusting to over an inch, are possible. Heavier snow, up to 2 inches, is expected in north-central Minnesota.

Surface analysis showing cold front
Surface analysis showing cold front
NOAA Weather Prediction Center
snow 6a
Forecast snowfall Thursday into early Friday
National Weather Service

Behind the clipper system, our winds will increase out of the northwest at 5 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching over 20 mph.

Winds Thursday from 12 p.m. til midnight
Winds Thursday from 12 p.m. until midnight
NOAA, via College of DuPage weather lab

Despite the cold front, temperatures will still rise to above-average levels, reaching the mid to upper 20s, with some areas in southwestern Minnesota hitting low 30s.

Highs for Thursday
Highs for Thursday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Friday will bring seasonal highs in the 20s for central and southern regions, while the northern areas will experience single digits and teens.

Highs for Friday
Highs for Friday
NOAA

Dry pattern

Lately, it’s been dry for the Upper Midwest. The last appreciable snow amounts fell on Dec. 28. There is another chance for snow in the forecast Saturday night into Sunday as another clipper system passes through.

Forecast precipitation Saturday morning through noon Sunday
Forecast precipitation Saturday morning through noon Sunday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

The snowfall potential for Saturday’s system ranges from 1 inch to more than 3 inches in northern Minnesota. The system has recently taken a more northerly track, so northern Minnesota is expected to receive the bulk of the snowfall.

Snowfall potential through Sunday afternoon
Snowfall potential through Sunday afternoon
National Weather Service

A brief cooldown is expected behind the weekend system, with highs ranging from single digits above to below zero on Monday.

The temperature trend from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center shows that temperatures for the next six to 10 days will be near normal for most of the state, with above-average temperatures expected in northern Minnesota.

6-10 day temperature outlook.
6-10 day temperature outlook
NOAA Climate Prediction Center