Snowy Thursday afternoon; strong northwest wind

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

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

The wind must rise behind the cliff 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.

Behind the rock system, our winds will pick up out of the northwest at 5 to 15 mph, with gusts over 20 mph.

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

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

Dry pattern

Lately it has been dry in the Upper Midwest. The last noticeable amounts of snow fell on 28 December. There is another chance for snow in the forecast Saturday night into Sunday as another rock system passes through.

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.

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

The temperature trend from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center shows 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.