Regional weather view
Winter is just not wanting to stay away from the Midwest! A sharp cold front moved across the region and has brought cold air back to the region, to make matters worse the next storm system which will be a cool cut off low type will likely produce accumulating snowfall to parts of North Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin which could break May snowfall records in this region. This low will continue to circulate across the region over the next several days bringing extended cloudiness, cool weather and widespread showers. Temperatures will go through a warming trend over the weekend with 60s and 70s moving back in by Monday.
Local weather view
Accumulations expected and timing-Rare May snow system possibly breaking records
A cut off low cool pressure system will backtrack into the region bringing rain then turning to a heavy wet snow tonight into Thursday and will continue through the day as drizzle and snow. The snow will be heavy at times. Temperatures will be cool in the lower to middle 30s both at day and night and with the snow will be heavy at times this will lead to accumulations on grassy surfaces and trees. At this time the highest accumulations will be in he northwest part of the area, Red Wing Cannon Falls to Dodge Center could see 3-4″ with 1-3″ across a large part of the central part of the area. There will be a sharp cut off in the snow totals with the Southeast part of the area only seeing a half inch to 1″ of accumulation.
Impacts expected: Temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s the entire time of the snowfall this will make it very wet and heavy in nature, because of this there will could be problems with trees branches breaking and isolated power outages from falling branches. Pine species are the most at risk of breakage. Main roads should remain fairly decent for travel as warm pavement temps melt snow. Side roads may have some accumulation. People should be aware that snow of this magnitude are very rare for this late in the season and has only happened a few times in our history. This will likely be a record breaking event.
Freeze potienal statement
At this time temperatures are expected to be near 32.F but clouds will protect us from temperatures dropping much below freezing and at this point I to not anticipate damage to plants/flowers from the cold temperatures. However the heavy weight of the snow could damage some spring blooming perennials.
Cool and rainy weather will last through the weekend.
As the low continues to sit over the area it will spread continual widespread showers and drizzle. Any snow should be done by Friday Morning and we should expect rain, drizzle and cloudiness for the rest of Friday. Clouds, light rain and drizzle will last through Sunday and it will be off and on type in nature. Over the next 4 days we have the potienal to pick up 1-2″ of precipitation. Temperatures will go onto a warming trend after Thursday even with clouds and rain. Temperatures warm up the the 40s Friday, upper 40s by Saturday and into the 50s by Sunday.
Warm up by Monday/beyond
Monday we turn around once again. This is the next day in which we can expect descent weather. Clouds will finally break up and it will be dry during the day with highs into the middle to upper 60s. Following Monday, Tuesday rain and even thunderstorm chances do come back into the picture, but it will be the scattered type and we will still see some sunshine. Highs warm up to near 70.F again by the point with lows in the 50s.
Thursday, Cold! Snow and rain likely, Snow could be heavy at times. Wet slushy accumulations ranging from 2-4″ north to 0.50-1″ south. Highs in the mid 30s. Thursday Night, Snow, accumulations around 1-2″ temperatures in the low 30s
Friday, A change of snow, then changing to light rain and drizzle. Highs in the lower 40s. Friday Night, Light rain and drizzle, lows in the upper 30s.
Saturday, Cloudy with Light rain and drizzle, highs in the mid to upper 40s. Saturday Night, Cloudy with light rain and drizzle, lows in the lower 40s.
Sunday, Cloudy with scattered showers and drizzle. Highs in the low to mid 50s. Sunday Night, Cloudy skies, lows in the low 40s.
Monday, Nice, Clearing skies, light winds, highs in the mid to upper 60s. Monday Night, Cloudy with lows in the mid 40s.
Tuesday/Wednesday, Partly cloudy with a chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
Looking Ahead
This looks to possibly be the last of the cold and snow but the pattern remains fairly active with one dry day Thursday looks to be dry before another cold front bringing a chances for showers and thunderstorms next Friday. Next weekend looks un settled with a chance for rain and thunderstorms. Early the week of Monday and Tuesday the 13th and 14th a parade of storms systems brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms every other day. Temperatures during this time will be warmer then they have been generally in the 50s and 60s through this entire time frame, with occasionally 70s at times.