Weekend starts frosty, ends warm

Parts of Minnesota see the coldest weather since May on Friday

Seasonably chilly weather Friday leads to widespread frost Saturday morning, but temperatures rebound quickly with a few 70s possible early next week.

Friday’s forecast

Thanks to a few more clouds, northern Minnesota began Friday in the 40s, which is about 10 degrees above average.

By contrast, portions of central and southern Minnesota saw the chilliest morning so far this season, despite the temperatures being very close to average.

Central and southern Minnesota had a mix of 30s and 40s under fewer clouds, near normal lows for mid-October. The Twin Cities dropped to 42 degrees Friday morning, which is almost exactly the normal low on Oct. 15 of 41.

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Despite the temperatures Friday morning being seasonable, Minnesota had such a warm summer and fall so far, that for some spots in central and southern Minnesota (including the Twin Cities), this is the chilliest morning since May.

With most of Minnesota forecast to see highs a couple of degrees cooler than Thursday, and afternoon temperatures expected to be in the 40s to mid-50s, this will also put highs in many spots at the coldest since May, despite being only a few degrees below average.

weather graphic
Friday high temperatures
National Weather Service
weather graphic
Forecast weather pattern midday Friday
National Weather Service

The state can also expect a few more clouds Friday as a weak disturbance moves across Minnesota. This also brings a very spotty rain chance, especially north, but a few sprinkles could also develop around the Twin Cities, particularly in the early evening.

It will also still be somewhat breezy Friday, especially along the western edge of the state.

Turning warmer

Skies clear late Friday, and following the cooler weather Friday, morning lows Saturday start even chillier for most of Minnesota.

Much of the state is forecast to dip into the mid-30s by Saturday morning making widespread frost probable.

weather graphic
Saturday morning forecast low temperatures
National Weather Service

The Twin Cities may stay mild enough to miss getting frost, but the suburbs could see some patches of frost, particularly in open or low-lying areas.

The clear skies mean plenty of sunshine during the day, so highs Saturday rebound quickly, ranging from the mid-50s north to low 60s south.

By Sunday almost all of Minnesota is in the 60s, and a few low 70s are possible south on Monday.

weather graphic
Twin Cities forecast temperatures through Tuesday
Weather.us

That swings the state from some spots having their coldest weather in five months between Friday and Saturday morning to temperatures surging back to 10 to 20 degrees above average a couple of days later.

Here is that temperature trend for the Twin Cities:

Predominantly dry weather is expected through the weekend and into the early part of next week.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.