December rain and wet snow

A weather map more like November than mid December spread rain and wet snow across much of the state from Friday though Friday night into Saturday.

As sunrise approaches, wet snow and a rain/snow mix have been falling on much of northeastern, central and southwestern Minnesota. As of 6 a.m., light snow was falling with temperatures just above freezing at Willmar, Alexandria, St. Cloud, Brainerd and Duluth.

Meanwhile, warmer temperatures have been keeping the precipitation as rain for the Twin Cities and into southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Messy Saturday

Snow will continue north and west of the Twin Cities area through much of Saturday morning while rain falls in the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota as well as much of Wisconsin.

Expect the precipitation to diminish and gradually end from northwest to southeast Saturday afternoon. In the Twin Cities, the precipitation should continue as rain with maybe a few flakes mixed in until it ends in early afternoon.

Afternoon high temperatures will be mainly in the 30s. They will range from about 30 around Hallock in the northwest corner to around 40 in the Twin Cities and points southeast such as Wabasha, Winona and Rochester.

Quieter Sunday

Sunday will be a bit cooler with scattered flurries flitting about as a breeze picks up. Little or no accumulation is likely.

Seasonable Monday

Monday might be a little on the cool side of normal with highs from the upper teens northeast to around 30 southwest. The Twin Cities should max out in the mid 20s.

Then mild again

Mild temperatures will return for the remainder of the week.

Rain is possible again next weekend and maybe for Christmas Day.