Springy Wednesday, rain Thursday, 80 this weekend?
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This could be the best spring in 30 years for Minnesota.
At least that's what the crops are telling us.
It's been just the right mix of sunny warm days and recent soaking rains. Temperatures are running about 3 degrees above average since March 1. Ice out is one to two weeks earlier than average. Boating, golfing and bike season is well underway, as is patio dining.
A little something for everybody. It's how spring was meant to be in Minnesota.
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Our "Goldilocks-Leave it to Beaver" Spring of 2015?
Somebody pinch me.
Even as the days warm in springtime, we are reminded that at this mid-continental latitude that frost is a real possibility until at least mid-May.
Temps dip into the low 40s in the metro Wednesday morning, with a frost advisory in western Wisconsin.
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OSCEOLA...RICE LAKE...LADYSMITH...MENOMONIE...CHIPPEWA FALLS...EAU CLAIRE
313 PM CDT TUE MAY 12 2015
...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM CDT WEDNESDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED A FROST ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM CDT WEDNESDAY.
* TEMPERATURE...LOWS BETWEEN 31 AND 36.
* IMPACTS...SENSITIVE OUTDOOR VEGETATION MAY BE DAMAGED OR KILLED IF PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.
Springy Wednesday
The early morning chill fades Wednesday as milder air works north again. Temps reach the mid 60s as far north as the metro with 50s north. Balmy 70s lurk just south. A preview of coming attractions this weekend?
Wet Thursday
Wednesday's developing warm front triggers a few showers in central and northern Minnesota. Outside of a brief morning shower chance, the bulk of the rain should stay north of the metro.
Thursday's low pressure wave looks more vigorous. Another shot of soaking rain rides north Thursday.
The maps:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's graphical forecast output cranks out another soaker of a half inch or more for most of Minnesota with some heavier 1 inch totals south.
Here's a more detailed breakdown on a still evolving forecast through the weekend. Latest trends suggest this graphic may be too conservative on metro weekend temps.
An increasing number of solutions bring 80 degree temps into the metro this weekend.
Combine that with dew points in the low 60s and it may feel like late June if the sun stays out long enough and scattered storms favor Saturday night. That's the way I'm leaning, looking at evolving model runs this weekend.
Stay tuned.