Snow melt continues today; Tuesday and Friday snow potential
In March we sometimes take two steps forward, then one step back.
Our snow cover will continue to melt today, but a couple of snow opportunities are in the forecast for this coming week.
Monday into Tuesday
Snow, possibly mixed with rain, is expected to move into western Minnesota Monday afternoon. The snow expands into eastern Minnesota Monday night, and there are periods of snow across most of Minnesota on Tuesday.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential snow pattern:
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of snow.
Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible in western Minnesota, with an inch or less in parts of eastern Minnesota.
Here's the NWS snow depiction:
Check forecast updates.
Friday into Saturday,
Another round of snow, or a rain/snow mix, could hit Minnesota late in the week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the potential precipitation pattern late Thursday night through Saturday:
The GFS model shows plenty of moisture in the late-week weather system.
Snow amounts will depend on when and where the changeover to all snow happens. Check forecast updates, because parts of Minnesota could get several inches of snow from Friday into Saturday morning.
Temperature trends
Our Sunday afternoon highs are expected to be mainly in the 40s across Minnesota, with some upper 30s in parts of the northwest.
Highs in the 30s will be common on Monday, with a few lower 40s southeast:
Twin Cities metro area highs are expected to be in the lower 40s Monday, followed by around 36 on Tuesday, 40 Wednesday, middle 40s on Thursday and Friday.
First 50 of the year
Our sunny St. Patrick's Day delivered our first official 50 degree reading of 2018 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
It was our first 50 degree or warmer reading at MSP airport since the record high of 57 degrees on December 4 .
Our average date of the first 50 degree or warmer reading is March 9 in the Twin Cities:
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.