Cooler temps return this week; soaking rains Tuesday
Frost potential later in the week
Weather didn’t interfere with our outdoor plans this weekend. We had plenty of sunshine and most of Minnesota had a dry weekend.
Temperature trends
Temperatures will retreat a bit on Monday, then they will slide even more on Tuesday.
The average Twin Cities high temperature is 57 degrees on April 15. The metro area will see Monday highs in the upper 60s to around 70.
Monday high temperatures are expected to range from 50s in far northern Minnesota to 70s in the far south:
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Tuesday afternoon temperatures will be mainly in the 50s:
There will be some 40s near Lake Superior.
Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to be in the mid 50s Wednesday and Thursday, followed by lower 50s on Friday. Below-normal temperatures are expected next weekend.
Temperatures could rebound nicely after next weekend. The NWS Climate Prediction Center shows a tendency for above-normal temperatures in Minnesota and Wisconsin from April 22 through April 28:
Soaking rains Tuesday and Tuesday night
The northern half of Minnesota will have the best chance of scattered showers on Monday, but an isolated shower is also possible elsewhere in Minnesota and in western Wisconsin.
A slow-moving low pressure system will bring periods of rain and some embedded thunderstorms to Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin Tuesday and Tuesday night. Some showers could linger into Wednesday morning.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale (NAM) Forecast System model shows the potential precipitation pattern from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. Wednesday:
The NAM forecast model shows between one inch and two inches of rain in many areas by Wednesday afternoon:
Some spots that see a few thunderstorms could end up with 2.50 inches of rain Tuesday into Wednesday.
You can hear updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the MPR News network.
Frost potential later this week
You may have to cover tender plants or bring potted plants indoors later this week and on Saturday.
Many spots in Minnesota and western Wisconsin will dip into the 30s early Thursday morning, with low temps closer to 40 degrees expected in the Twin Cities.
Friday morning low temps will be in the 20s and 30s:
Saturday morning lows will be in the 20s and lower 30s:
Keep in mind that official temperatures are measured 5 feet above the ground. When winds are light and skies are mostly clear, the temperature near the ground can be several degrees cooler than the official temp.
Check forecast updates later this week.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.