Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Updraft® is your source for Minnesota forecasts and insights from our expert meteorologists, Paul Huttner, Sven Sundgaard and Mandy Thalhuber.

MPR News brings you the latest weather outlook, across all of Minnesota, so you can be better prepared for your day.

March 19, 2015 1:01 PM

Flash drought: From 5 to 88% coverage in one week

It’s official. Nearly all of Minnesota is now in drought. Moderate drought coverage went from 5 to 88 percent in today’s updated U.S. Drought Monitor. I’ve been talking and writing for much of the winter about my concerns that Minnesota was biased for spring drought this year. I’ve never seen a change that rapid in the U.S. Drought Monitor coverage for…

by Paul Huttner

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March 19, 2015 2:52 AM

A drop in the bucket: Searching for moisture

There will be a couple of opportunities for welcome precipitation in the next five days, but amounts are likely to be quite light.

by Craig Edwards

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March 18, 2015 1:37 PM

2015 already warmest year globally so far

Just two months after data confirmed 2014 was the warmest year on record globally we know that 2015 is off to an even warmer start than 2014 was one year ago. In fact, the first two months of 2015 are significantly warmer than January and February 2014 globally.

by Paul Huttner

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March 18, 2015 3:41 AM

Most spectacular aurora in years dazzles onlookers

The most vivid auroras in years dazzled onlookers across the northern hemisphere into early this morning.

by Paul Huttner

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March 17, 2015 11:35 AM

Aurora alert: Severe G4 geomagnetic storm slams earth

Sky watchers from Minnesota to Alaska and beyond were dazzled by vivid pre-dawn auroras this morning. A second show may occur after dark tonight as a severe (G4) geomagnetic solar storm bombards earth.

by Paul Huttner

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March 17, 2015 3:26 AM

Growing drought fuels high wildfire risk

The lack of winter snow and snow cover has allowed brush that was already dry last fall to dry out even further this spring.

by Paul Huttner

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March 16, 2015 11:43 AM

Atmospheric speed bumps ahead

After a record run of April and May temperature levels in mid-March we return to reality this week.

by Paul Huttner

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March 16, 2015 3:06 AM

Spring preview ends, March reality check

It's back to March reality today as a cold front slides south through Minnesota. Temps in the week ahead return much closer to, but still mostly above, average for mid-March.

by Paul Huttner