Frost advisories again; much warmer pattern emerging next week

Highs in the 70s late next week. Much warmer air after that?

Frost and freeze advisories
Frost and freeze advisories
Twin Cities National Weather Service

It’s been a slow-motion climb into spring this year in Minnesota.

It’s interesting to note that temperatures since March 1 are actually running warmer than average. March was 7.7 degrees warmer than average at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. April was almost exactly average. It feels like it’s been a chilly spring, but the past month has been very close to average overall.

Frost advisories and freeze warnings

Clear skies, dew points in the 20s and light winds. It’s the perfect atmospheric recipe for frost in early May.

Frost advisories include the eastern Twin Cities counties into early Saturday morning. A freeze warning is up further east including Eau Claire, Wis.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Washington-Dakota-Goodhue-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin- Including the cities of Stillwater, Hastings, Red Wing, Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, and Durand

150 PM CDT Fri May 7 2021

...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM CDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 32 will result in frost formation.

* WHERE...In Wisconsin, St. Croix, Pierce, Dunn and Pepin Counties. In Minnesota, Washington, Dakota and Goodhue Counties.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 8 AM CDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

The temperature bottomed out at 29 degrees that past 2 mornings at MSP Airport. It may dip to around 37 Saturday morning. But most of the inner Twin Cities should once again escape a widespread frost.

Forecast minimum temps Saturday
Forecast minimum temps Saturday
NOAA

Warmer air next week

There are signs our spring pattern is ready to launch into warmer mode. After a cool and mostly cloudy weekend, sunshine and warmer temperatures return next week.

Highs look about 5 to 10 degrees warmer next week, with highs in the mid-60s common across Minnesota.

Forecast high temperatures Wednesday
Forecast high temperatures Wednesday
NOAA

70s and 80s in sight?

The upper air pattern across North America looks likely to change for the warmer by late next week into the third week of May.

Upper air forecast map for 7 pm May 21
Upper air forecast map for 7 p.m. May 21.
NOAA

Highs should push 70 degrees by next Friday across much of Minnesota.

Forecast high temperatures Friday
Forecast high temperatures Friday, May 14
NOAA

Much warmer air appears likely to arrive around May 18-21. NOAA’s eight- to 14-day outlook favors above-average temperatures.

NOAA 8 to 14-day temperature outlook
NOAA 8 to 14-day temperature outlook
NOAA

And NOAA’s week 3 and 4 outlook also favors warmth for the Upper Midwest.

NOAA week 3 and 4 temperature outlook
NOAA week 3 and 4 temperature outlook
NOAA

The average high in the Twin Cities reaches 70 degrees on May 17.

Get ready for the warmer part of spring, and even some hints of summer in the next two weeks. I expect we’ll see some 80s, and possibly 90 degrees in parts of Minnesota in the next two weeks.

It’s time.