Classic May ahead: Outlooks favor warmer, drier-than-normal weather
More frequent sunshine, highs in the 70s look likely in May
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I have a hunch this could be one of the best Mays we’ve enjoyed in Minnesota.
The weather maps and outlooks favor a sunnier, warmer weather pattern over the next week and possibly most of May.
Starting this weekend, we’ll enjoy more sunshine and milder temperatures. Saturday will be seasonable with highs mainly in the 60s. Sunday brings widespread 70s with a shot at 80 degrees in the Red River Valley.
It looks like the warming trend will last through next week.
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On the map below, check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model upper-air forecast for the next week. Note how the cooler blue hues are shoved out by warmer colors as upper-level ridging builds over the Upper Midwest.
A fairly stable blocking pattern will bring stormy conditions to much of the southern and central states, but Minnesota should ride the sunnier and milder zone with this block.
That means highs next week will mainly ride into the 70s across most of central and southern Minnesota with 60s north.
Milder and drier outlook
The outlooks for the rest of May suggest Minnesota might feel more like San Diego with lakes.
NOAA’s eight to 14-day outlook favors warmer and drier than normal weather across our region.
The outlook for the last two weeks of May also favors milder and drier weather patterns. The monthly outlook for May at the top of this post favors warmer than normal conditions overall.
Farmers who have planted and have adequate soil moisture now should be happy to see milder temperatures that can get crops off to as good start.
Boaters, golfers and anyone else who wants to get out should enjoy this evolving weather pattern. And no bugs, yet.
Get out there, Minnesota. We’ve earned it!