Heavy rain moving across parts of Minnesota

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Spring has barely sprung across Minnesota. But 

ice-out is progressing rapidly northward.

Many lakes from the Twin Cities southward are already ice-free, and they’re losing their annual ice cover about two weeks earlier than average.

Here’s a list of select lakes now ice-free in southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities:

Our mild and windy March is the big reason ice is going out earlier than average this year. So far, March is running about 6 degrees warmer than normal in the Twin Cities and 10 degrees warmer than normal in western Minnesota. 

The lack of snow cover across southern Minnesota is also speeding along ice-out as the sun works directly on the ice to warm the water blow the ice in the shallows. 

Here’s a good description of how our Minnesota lakes melt in spring, 

via the Minnesota State Climatology Office

Other than a chance for a few sprinkles or showers Tuesday, our weather looks quiet through Thursday. Temperatures will gradually warm this week.

Highs by Thursday will make the 60s in much of the south.

A weather system moving through Friday and Saturday brings a chance for showers south, with more accumulating snow possible north.

You’re not done with the shovels just yet northern Minnesota! 

Paul Huttner

Host

Ice-out is moving north through Minnesota this spring. many lakes are ice-free two weeks earlier than average. 

Ice-out is moving north through Minnesota this spring. many lake are ice-free two weeks earlier than average. 

Ice-outs coming about 2 weeks early; gradually milder temps this week

Go Deeper.

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