Cold Monday night; warming for Thanksgiving

Drab gray clouds with scattered flurries hung around much of central and southern Minnesota on Monday. Meanwhile, slow clearing from the northwest did not allow temperatures to warm above the single digits in much of northern Minnesota. As of 5 p.m. International Falls is sitting at 4 degrees while Fosston in the northwest is down to 1 degree.

Cold Monday night coming

That slow clearing will lead to unseasonably cold temperatures Monday night, especially in areas with a few inches of snow on the ground. Look for overnight readings in the single digits below zero in northern Minnesota while the western, central and southern parts of the state are likely to see singles above zero.

Snow for Tuesday

A weak Alberta clipper weather system will spread some light snow, possibly mixed with a little freezing drizzle at times, from Manitoba across northern and central Minnesota on Tuesday. Most snowfall accumulations should be around an inch or less.

High temperatures Tuesday afternoon should range from the upper teens in the Arrowhead to the almost-balmy low 40s in Rock County in the southwest corner. The Twin Cities should get into the low 30s.

Good travel conditions for Wednesday and Thursday

The weather should be benign for drivers across Minnesota and Wisconsin on Wednesday and Thursday.

And look for warmer weather for Thanksgiving. Afternoon highs as the turkey finishes roasting are likely to range from the low 30s in the northeast around Ely and Isabella to the upper 40s in the southwest. I think the Twin Cities could sneak into the low 40s unless clouds really thicken.

Rainy Friday

Areas of rain are likely from the southwest on Friday as the mild temperatures continue. Precipitation could change to scattered areas of rain and light snow for Friday night and Saturday, but should not be a major issue for travelers.

Much cooler again next week

Look for chilly weather to return by next Monday when the Twin Cities could have a high in the upper 20s.

Storms heading for California

Numerous storms build over the Pacific and roll into the west coast, mainly from northern California north across western Oregon and western Washington every winter. The lack of any such rain so far is one factor that has allowed the wildfires in California to become so extreme. That is about to change as the first storm of this winter should reach California on Wednesday with rain in the lower elevations and snow higher up the mountains. Forecasts are calling for significant precipitation on Wednesday and then more weather systems later in the week.

While the rain certainly will mitigate the risk of wildfires in California, all rainfall news might not be good news. There is concern that excessive rain mainly on recent burn areas around Paradise and the Los Angeles area, in yellow on the excessive rainfall outlook map below, could cause mudslides and debris flows.