Cold front; Friday night Clipper; 40s again by Thanksgiving

It's been a tale of two forecasts across Minnesota lately.

Southern Minnesota basked in relatively mild temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Northern Minnesota is stuck in the 30s, and waves of snow showers continue in the northern half of Minnesota overnight. The most significant snow falls from the Iron Range into the Boundary Waters overnight.

In southern Minnesota, we can expect a mix of rain and snow showers Thursday night. Little accumulation is likely.

Friday Clipper

The better chance for accumulating snow arrives Friday. Snow spreads into southwest Minnesota Friday afternoon and approaches the Twin Cities by suppertime. NOAA's GFS model seems to have a pretty good handle on the system track.

The heaviest accumulations of 1" to 3" center on the Minnesota River Valley Friday night. This system looks like more of a glancing blow for the Twin Cities with an inch or less in most spots. These Twin Cities NWS snowfall totals issued Thursday still look pretty good to my eye.

The best chance for 2" to possibly 4" lays out along the Minnesota River Valley toward Albert Lea and Rochester.

Chilly weekend

Friday's Clipper drags colder air in tow. Temperatures warm again next week. I still think 40s are likely next Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota. No big rain or snow events Thanksgiving week?

Weather gratitude.

Smoke gets in your eyes

The direct fire impacts from the fires in California are tragic. But the wider impacts affect millions. The nasty smoke plume is producing unhealthy air quality for millions. I'm grateful for our cold but fresh Canadian air mass here in Minnesota.

Schools close

Minnesota knows about snow days. In California these days, it's smoke days.

Climate change creates drier fuels

Great images from GOES-17