Cooler breezy with Light snow from weak system arrives tomarrow, light accumulations. Then weekend snowstorm potienal?

Regional weather view.

In what appears to be a more active time ahead setting up for the Upper Midwest. a couple of systems look to produce snow across parts of the Upper Midwest. The 1st one will be fairly light on Thursday mainly across Minnesota and Wisconsin, along with parts of Northeast Iowa. A sharp cut off from cold air in Northwest Minnesota, to mild air south of there will exist. Temps in Northwest areas of the region will struggle to reach the upper teens for highs. While most other areas should get into the middle 30s to as warms as the middle 40s. Then the weekend another system approaches that is still in big question as to what areas will get what. But it appears someone in the Upper Midwest will receive some good snowfall. Right now it is targeting Western Iowa, Southeastern Minnesota and Western and Northern Wisconsin.

Local weather view.

Locally for the area we can expect some colder conditions with light snow developing Thursday Morning with a system and arctic front passing through, The light snow will last through the afternoon, but will be light in nature, and accumulations will be light only half inch up to 1 inch. Still people should remember their winter driving skills should snow accumulated on roads, and with highs in the mid 30s, it could. Lows will be the coldest of the season so far behind the front, clear skies will take place allowing lows to fall to the lower to mid to mid 10s Thursday night. Friday we will have cold sunshine and it will be dry. Highs will be in the low to mid 30s. with lows in the mid 20s Friday night.

Weekend Snowstorm Potential!

There is the potential for a weekend significant snowstorm here in Southeastern Minnesota. Take note that even though changes are likely to take place, the models have been trending this long enough that it is worth mentioning even though past systems have missed us. The models right  have been trending center of the system to pass near the Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin boarder. Which would put some of the highest totals possible exceeding 6 inches right here in Southeastern Minnesota. The storm it's self is still in question becuase if the track shifts northward, which some models have shown, rain would mix in and totals would be less. Still it is looking likely that precip in the form of at least some snow will fall this weekend. Sunday when the storm passes will likely be the coldest day of the season so far with highs not rising out of the 20s and lows in the 10s. Stay closely monitored to weather outlets for more details. Otherwise I will be updating this as needed.

Thursday, Breezy and Mostly cloudy with light snow in the morning and afternoon. Light accumulations of half inch to and inch likely. Highs in the low to mid 30s. Winds could gust to 25MPH Thursday Night, Cold! Clear skies with lows in the low to mid 10s.

Friday, Not as breezy with chilly sunshine. Highs in the low to mid 30s. Friday Night, Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday/Sunday, Weekend snowstorm in question, but precip looking likely Saturday. Highs in the mid 30s. lows in the upper 20s. Sunday Cold! Highs in mid to upper 20s with lows in the mid to upper 10s.

Looking Ahead

December comes in with a much more wintery-like pattern setting up. The start and beginning of next week look  far more colder and snowy then it has been in past weeks. Highs will probably be in the low 20s some days with lows approaching the single digits. as arctic air shifts southeast. There may be another round of light snow on Monday with the arctic air. It looks slightly warmer for midweek Wednesday, before another system weak system brings more chances of snow Thursday. The models then hint at another stronger type system bringing possibly more snow to the region on the weekend of the 11th. After that it dries out and remains cool with off and on chances for light snow through the 16th.

Quiet, mild weather returns for start of work week.

Regional weather view.

The weather will take an unfortunately dry and mild pattern for the start of the work week. We can expect really no weather issues region wide with nothing left over but sunny and mild conditions through Wednesday.

Local weather view.

The dry quiet weather pattern across the region will make for a pleasantly mild and sunny stretch for the next few days across the area. We can expect mild sunny days each day, with cool clear nights. Tuesday Highs will show the influence of a cool front that will pass through dry. Highs will only be in the upper 30s. Otherwise we can expect highs in the low 40s Monday and Wednesday, with lows in the low to mid 20s, with a few areas reaching the teens for lows.

Monday, Mild, Sunny with light winds. Highs in the low 40s.

Tuesday, Cooler, Sunny with a bit of a breezy. Highs in the mid to upper 30s. Tuesday Night, Cool, Clear skies with lows in the upper 10s to low 20s.

Wednesday, Sunny skies, light winds and mild. Highs in the low 40s. Wednesday night. Clear skies, lows in the mid 20s.



Looking Ahead

Many are probably seriously starting to wonder when the first significant snowfall accumulation will occur for southeastern Minnesota, while some are still wondering when the 1st 1 inch will fall. The next chance for snowfall for the area will arrive on Thursday of this week ahead of a fairly strong cold front. The system looks fairly minor and light at this time, and that is the way it will probably stay. Still that is our next chance of snow. It will dry out with fair temperatures for the 1st part of the weekend. Then Sunday the 4th of December looks on the more interesting side. A system develops over Oklahoma and moves northeast, With cold air already in place it appears like some areas may be seeing some snow. It it too early to tell on amounts but with the current track this system does effect our area of Southeastern Minnesota. It will clear out and be cold behind that system for Monday the 5th. Then mild and dry weather move in for the weekend of the 9th. It really remains pretty dry even though the end of the model run as we approach December 13th.

Warm temp report. Warmest Thanksgiving in many years. Record high temps broken with highs in the 60s!

Photo near Rochester Intl. Airport on a mild November day the 23rd.

What a warm Thanksgiving that was! I hope everyone had a great holiday, and hopefully you were able to enjoy the beautiful weather! This will go down in history as the warmest thanksgiving in many locations. as abundant sunshine and lack of snowcover caused high temperatures to rise into the 50s and 60s across much of the area, which is least 20 degrees above where they should be on this last week before December! A record high was set at the Rochester Airport today with a high of 60.F the old record was 56 which was back in 1990. I added my temp from West Downtown to this report later becuase this update is being posted to my blog from my hometown in Clayton,Wisconsin 110 miles north. But the mild weather was not just felt in Southeastern Minnesota, Much of the region enjoyed very mild weather, even here in Wisconsin we had a high of 55.F! Do not get used to this weather becuase after Friday, rain and even snow will move in with a significant cool down. By Sunday we may have some snow on the ground and highs will not be out of the 30s!

 Highs reported Thursday

The highest temperature area wide was from my station in West Downtown with a high of 63.F The coolest was Winona, where more cloud cover was seen. There the high was 55.F The the Rochester metro area, Inner city locations like my station had a high of  63.F, where Coolest was Stewartville with a high of 58.F

Very nice Thanksgiving ahead-Record highs likely! then late weekend light rain/drizzle Fri night/Sat ending as flurries and light snow. small accumulations- Updated x1

Regional view.

A very mild Thanksgiving is expected as a warm airmass peaks. Highs will be near if not breaking records for parts of the region. Saturday a fairly weak storm system will develop in Iowa and Wisconsin which could produce rain across the Eastern half of the region, which could change to light snow as the sysatem departs.  It does bring down much cooler air behind it.

Local View

Locally the big story will be the beautiful Thanksgiving weather! Thanksgiving will be remember as a nice one this year, as lack of snowcover and sunshine will lead to an unusually very mild and beautiful day! Highs temperatures tomorrow under sunny skies will probably break record high values for Late November. The record high at the Rochester Airport for tomorrow is 56.F and Upper 50s to low 60s look to be likely here in Southeastern Minnesota! Lows Thursday night will also be very mild in the 40s! Friday will still be very mild although more clouds will start to move in ahead of the weak system mentioned above. Highs will still make the middle 50s at least. Friday Night drizzle may start to develop. Lows will be in the low 40s  Saturday and Sunday are still a bit questionable, but it looks like we have good chance of getting some light rain or drizzle some parts of the day Saturday, total rainfall amounts will be light, but could be slightly over 0.10 of an inch. Highs will be in the mid 40s. As the system moves into Wisconsin, temperatures will cool off pretty good, and some of the light rain and drizzle could turn to flurries or light snow. Accumulations look like probably less then 1 inch but do not be surprised if the ground has a light coating Saturday night or Sunday. and i will admit i still see small potential for an inch or more so stay tuned. Travel for people on Sunday will be fairly good but much colder, Only a slight chance of morning flurries, highs will be in the mid 30s. Lows under clear skies Sunday night will be in the mid 20s.                                   

Thanksgiving Day, Very Mild! Sunny and beautiful with record breaking highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, inner city Rochester. Thursday Night, Very Mild. Partly cloudy with lows in the low 40s.

Friday, Partly cloudy with increasing clouds. Mild with highs in the low to mid 50s. Friday Night, A chance of drizzle or light rain developing late. Otherwise cloudy with lows in the low 40s.

Saturday, Cooler, A chance of light rain or drizzle rain early, then changing to light snow and flurries. Highs in the low 40s. Saturday Night, A chance of flurries or light snow, lows in the upper 20s.

Sunday, Much colder and breezy with a chance of flurries before ending. A coating of accumulation possible. Highs in the mid 30s with cold winds. Sunday Night, Clear skies with lows in the low to mids 20s.

Looking Ahead
Looking at weather for the start of the work week looks temporarily milder and dry, before a cold front passes through dry on Tuesday and brings in colder weather. Then temps remain fair, and a small weak system produces light snow on Thursday for the area. Accumulations would be light. Then it is dry with fair temps for one more day, before the models try to make things seem a bit more interesting. A arctic cold front sweeps down Saturday the 3rd, and ahead of it brings developing snow. The cold air is shower live though becuase warmer and drier air already makes a come back by Tuesday the 6th, as a strong system passes over the eastern half of the country producing good rain and snow in that region. It will remain dry with up and down temperatures for the rest of this run. All in all the looking ahead forecast looks pretty dry with only small chances are reviving snow.

System report. Drizzle turning to snow-First accumulation of snow for some areas. Also 1st Thanksgiving cactus bloom on houseplant.

Snow falling on West Downtown Rochester November 19th 2011

Many people seen their first snowfall accumulation of the season with the resent system that passed through the Upper Midwest. What started off as drizzle with temperatures in the mid 30s on the warm side of the system here in Rochester eventually started to turn to big snowlakes seen above around 3pm yesterday. After this it went from snow to sleet for at least an hour before temperatures finally dropped enough to allow for snow to fall the rest of the system. After getting 0.06" of drizzle, temperatures dropping from the low 30s to low 20s by morning and the snow that fell stuck through the morning so far, but it is easy to tell just one sunny afternoon will melt it away completely. This system was not a huge deal for Southeastern Minnesota as mainly less then half an inch of snow fell at most areas accept the far north, where an inch appears likely to have fallen. This system was however a much better deal North in Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin which was on the cold side of the system. a widespread area of 1-3 inches fell  from Central Minnesota over to my hometowns area of Western Wisconsin. But some very high totals included 12 inches of snow reported in Hickley,MN

Coating of snow early Sunday morning.

It snowed a quarter inch here in Rochester, which was just enough to coat the ground, and be consider the first "real" accumulation of snow, we are still waiting receive our 1st inch! With the 0.06" of drizzle and snow water melted down it was exactly 0.10" of precip, which is just a slight help to the moderate drought that we are under.

Snow totals include
Near Cannon Falls 1.30"
Lake City 0.40"
Oronoco 0.30"
West Downtown Rochester 0.25"
Rochester Airport 0.20"
Austin Trace.

 Red Thanksgiving Cactus in bloom November 20th 2011

The 1st flower on my thanksgiving cactus opened on this cold snowy morning. Just in time for the week of Thanksgiving! This is a 2 year old transplants of 3 different colors in one pot. There is white pink and red all in one, the other colors in here have several smaller buds waiting to open. My other plant is also still in the developing stage and has at least 60 buds. I estimate it will bloom sometime around the 1st week of December!

System over the weekend will produce a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the area. Only light amonts of both rain/snow. Slick condtions possible Sat Night.

Regional Weather View.

Some of the region will be getting their first real measurable snow this weekend as a system passes through Iowa then through central Wisconsin. Minor accumulations of snow is possible across much of Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin. But some significant accumulations are possible in South Dakota, and the Snowbelt areas of Northern Wisconsin. Further south a mixture of rain sleet and snow is possible in a narrow area from Central Wisconsin to southern Minnesota to Northwest Iowa. South and east of here light drizzle is all that is likely. There will be a very large temperature difference from north to south. Northwest Minnesota will have teens for highs, while southern Iowa and Missouri will have lower 60s. Arctic air will move in behind this system and cool everyone down.

Local View.

This system for the area will not be a major issue. But becuase of where it is expect to go, we will have to deal with a mixture of light rain, sleet and snow. With temps starting off the the upper 30s, Light rain or drizzle will start during the day Saturday. amounts will be a quarter inch or less. But as the system slides a bit more eastward, temps will plummet into the mid 20s, changing precip from rain to sleet and eventually snow, But by this time most of the precip will have moved to the east. So this will limit accumulations up to 1 inch for place like Cannon Falls and Red Wing where this changeover will occur first. For the rest of the area, a coating to a half inch is possible. Slick roads may be an issue as temps fall and water starts to freeze Saturday Night.  The bigger story with this system for our are will be the very cold air behind it which will settle in Sunday and may come in with a few flurries.I'm calling it arctic air, but really the coldest conditions will stay well northwest of here. Still Even with sunny skies, highs will likely remain at 32.F or below at most areas. Temperatures at night will be well into the upper 10s and 20s. Monday and Tuesday will be slightly warmer with highs in the upper 30s both days, and lows in the 20s.

Saturday, Cloudy with light rain and drizzle developing. Highs in the upper 30s. Saturday Night, Breezy, drizzle or rain changing to sleet, then eventually all snow area wide. Accumulations up to 1 inch far northwest areas, and a coating to 1 inch rest of area. Lows plummeting to the mid 20s by morning.

Sunday, Cold air settles in. Sunny with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s. Sunday Night, Partly cloudy with a chance for a few flurries. Otherwise cold with lows in the upper teens to low 20s.

Monday, Chilly but warmer. Sunny skies, highs in the mid to upper 30s. Monday Night, Clear skies and cold. Lows falling to the upper teens to lower 20s.

Tuesday, Sunny skies with fair temps. Highs in the upper 30s to low 40s. Tuesday Night Clear skies with lows in the low to mid 20s.

Looking Ahead- Thanksgiving Early Outlook!

As we approach the end of the early workweek for many, We will have dry and warming conditions. A mild and dry Thanksgiving weekend looks likely at this point, with sunshine and 40s for highs, possible nearing 50 or above towards Friday/Saturday! Saturday night a weak system may produce a few light rain showers, making way for a clear Sunday the 27th. Tuesday the 29th a cold front pushed Southward, which may produce a few light snow showers here. The only threat of any significant snow does not appear until Sunday December 4th, when a system passes to out southeast. It looks too far east at this time to effect our area, but as many know this will change. Check back for updates.

Coldest temps of the season so far last night, Some spots fell to the low teens!

Frozen garden pond at college campus November 17th 2011

Many noticed the very cold temperatures over the past couple of days, but it was especially noticeable last night and this morning. Mostly becuase this morning was the coldest of the season so far. With clear skies and a very chilly airmass overhead. It was very easy for temperatures to plummet into the middle to lower teens area wide. Every reporting station had a temperature at least in the teens. After a high of 40.F at my station in West Downtown on Wednesday, temperatures were already in the 20s by 10pm. By morning the lower had fallen to 16.F, while the low at the airport outside of the city had a low of 14.F. This was the 1st time both locations had fallen in the teens this season.  The temperatures over the past couple of nights were cold enough that some area small ponds and shallow lakes have developed a thin layer of ice over them. It is looking, and feeling more like November with each passing week!

Lows reported on Friday Morning.

The coldest low in the area was Dodge Center with a low of 12.F, while the "warmest" was Winona and Lake City, which both had 18.F For the Rochester Metro Oronoco along with several outer city locations fell to 14.F, while the "warmest" was my station in West Downtown with a low of 16.F.

Strong cold front moves through tomarrow. Windy then Sigificantly colder air will be in place by Wednesday, when highs will not get out of the 30s! Coldest night so far expected Wed Night.

Regional Weather View.

The warm weather that the region has been experiencing over the past week will come to and end as a strong cold front slices through the region. Highs will go from being in the 50s and 60s, on Tuesday to being in the 30s and 40s on Wednesday. Areas in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin may have some snowshowers on Tuesday, but the rest of the region could remain dry. Friday warmer air will begin to move back towards the region ahead of a weather system.

Local View.

Locally we can expect the strong cold front to push through during the morning on Tuesday. In the wake of this front which will pass through dry, strong westerly winds will gust to near 40MPH, and the high temperature in the upper 40s for the day will probably occur early in the day, and it will not feel that warm. Tuesday night will be cold with lows falling well into the lower 20s to upper 10s! Wednesday the area will be under the full force of this airmass. Highs will likely not get out of the 30s even with lots of sunshine expected! Winds will also still be quite breezy so it will likely feel pretty cold compared to what we've had. Wednesday Night under crystal clear skies lows will plunge to their coldest levels so far. Teens are likely, and could fall as low as the middle 10s in some places. Thursday will not be much better, accept that it will be less breezy. It will be sunny with highs in the upper 30s to the lower 40s. Lows Thursday Night will be much milder, setting up the stage for a much warmer Friday in the mid to upper 40s, as winds switch southerly ahead of the next weather system, skies will be partly cloudy. Precip may develop in the form of light sprinkles late overnight Friday. Lows will be in the mid 30s.
Metro View

Tuesday, Sunny and Windy! Chilly west winds gusting to 40MPH at times. Highs in the upper 40s early in the day. Tuesday Night. Cold! Clear skies with lows in the upper 10s to lower 20s inner city Rochester.


Wednesday, Cold sunshine, with breezy and chilly west winds. Highs in the middle to upper 30s. Wednesday Night, Cold. Lows falling to the mid 10s to upper 10s inner city Rochester.

Thursday, Chilly, Not as breezy. Sunny with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Thursday Night, not as cold, Partly cloudy with lows in the low 30s. 


Friday, Much Warmer, and turning breezy. Partly cloudy with increasing afternoon clouds. Highs in the upper 40s. Friday Night, Mostly cloudy with possible sprinkles developing late. Lows in the mid 30s.

Looking Ahead

The models have been telling a possible interesting story with a system for the upcoming weekend.  Most models have been showing a fair sized system developing over Kansas and pushing over Northeastern Iowa into Wisconsin. If this plays out it would Produce a swath of snow across most of Minnesota and with cold air already in place by that time. For the local area it would mean light rain Saturday, changing to snow on Sunday, and a a few inches would not be out of the question. With possibly a half a foot for Central Minnesota north of the Twin Cites. But with the way systems have been playing out lately, it is difficult to trust and get excited over any significant precip happening, but it is still worth watching. It dries out and remains much more like November behind this system for Monday, then more light snow showers could develop for the area on Tuesday the 22nd. The models continue to hint at a dry and mild Thanksgiving holiday, with even the chance of plain old rain for the area on Saturday the 26th. A strong cold front pushes through on the 28th and a system brings snow to the area right behind it. It's not long after that before another strong system develops on the 30th, which has a fair chance of bringing rain or snow to the area.

 
 

Warming up sigificantly for the weekend, Sunshine and middle 50s likely by Saturday! Chance for a few light showers Sunday, before more Sunshine Monday.

Regional Weather View.

Warmer air will surge in from the west starting Friday. Most of the Midwest will enjoy sunshine and much warmer temperatures. Saturday is when this little warm up will peak, middle 50s is possible as far north as Southern Minnesota. A weak cool front will slide through the region on Sunday which could spark a few showers mainly across the north. Otherwise sunny weather will break out again starting next week.

Local View.

Locally we can expect a couple of nice days to shape up for this weekend! Both Friday and Saturday will feature sunshine with highs in the lower to mid 50s, Which is well above normal. A couple place may even reach near 60 on Saturday! Lows will be in the middle to upper 30s. The only small downside will be it will be a bit breezy. Sunday will be a cloudier day, and with a weak cool front pulling through there may be a light shower or two. But no one should get excited for any significant rainfall becuase it is likely going to be only small amounts and not everyone will see rain. With the clouds highs will be in the upper 40s Sunday with lows in the mid 30s. Monday skies will clear out behind this front, and highs will still even be fairly mild in the upper 40s. Lows will be in the mid 30s.

Metro View.

Friday, Much Warmer! Sunny skies, a bit breezy with highs in the low 50s. Friday Night, Clear skies. Lows in the low 30s to mid 30s inner city Rochester.

Saturday, Mild! Sunny and a bit breezy with highs in the middle to upper 50s. Saturday Night. Increasing clouds. Lows in the low 40s. 

Sunday, Mostly Cloudy with a chance for a few light spotty showers. Highs in the upper 40s. Sunday Night, Clearing skies. Lows in the mid 30s.

Monday, Mild and Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Monday Night. Clear skies. Lows in the low 30s to mid 30s inner city Rochester.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, a strong cold front will bring highs down to where there supposed to be for middle November. Unfortunaity this front looks to pass through dry. Temperatures stay fair and it continues to be dry through the middle of next week, and even towards the weekend it remains dry. Saturday the 19th warms up briefly then a strong cold front looks to bring a chance of light showers turning to flurries. Then a much stronger system drags up warm and and lots of rain showers for Monday the 21st, and then it drys out for Thanksgiving Weekend. Afterwards remains on the fair side for temps with another chance for rainfall on the 26th. The long range models have been very un reliable this fall and change daily. Check back for updates.

Weak system behind Wisconsin snowstorm brought the 1st snowflakes of the season for much of the area overnight/this morning.

Whitend roofs from overnight flurries November 10th 2011

Just when I thought the chance of snow had passed for the day. I noticed a very weak, but fast moving system producing light snow in Northern Minnesota quickly move southeast through the state. Eventually it reached the local area after 11PM and lasted much of the overnight hours into the 1st part of the morning. This system brought only light accumulation and flurries, but it was the 1st snow most places have had this season. This will also go down as the 1st snow that has fallen in my neighborhood. A very light accumulation of 0.10" was recorded on elevated surfaces. This was a very dry snow because there was  only trace of actual liquid. The flurries and clouds made for a very chilly and breezy day. The high was 39.F here in Rochester, which is the coolest high so far this season. Things will warm up significantly for the weekend and our next chance of for precip may come on Sunday in the form of rain.

System report- Entire area miss by snow accept far east where up to 1.50" of snow fell. Moderate to Severe drought taking over eveywhere else.

Photo showing bare grass in my West Downtown neighborhood November 9th 2011

Some people woke up to white snowcover this morning, while others woke up to dry grass depending on where you are. A system that was in question on where it would go of much this week ended up sweeping just east of the area. Only the far northwest extent of it clipped the area. Places East of a line from Preston to Washaba received a coating up to 1.50" of snow. While places west of there were left high and dry. Here in Rochester on Tuesday Afternoon there was a brief time when some ice pellets were coming down, but if you were not outside with in the 5 minutes that it was occurring, you probably did not see it. With this amount, this system only produced a trace of precip. and this also means that I have yet to see snow at my location, which makes us behind becuase Rochester typically sees it's first snow during the 1st week of November.

White scene from La Crosse,WI

This image from La Crosse,Wisconsin just over 50 miles east of Rochester proved how close the edge of the snow came. My classmates in class were mentioning how traffic that was coming westbound on 94 coming out of Wisconsin had snowcovered cars and chunks of snow in the highway. Which is fairly odd to see when the only snow you see are those chunks!

Snowfall Reports

Preston 0.25" snow
Highland 1.50" snow
Peterson 1.50" snow

 Drought monitor as of November 1st 2011

I was hoping rain and snow would fall from this past system, and becuase it didn't and lack of rainfall continues to be an issue. I decided to talk a bit about the drought that is currently in place. Fall here in Southeastern Minnesota has been a very dry one. every month since I moved here for college has brought below average rainfall, and some months have been extremely dry. October was recorded as the 8th driest month for Rochester, less then 0.35" of rain fell at my station. Moderate to Severe drought covers most of Dodge, Mower, Olmstead and Goodhue counties, It has been especially dry in cities like Dodge Center, Austin and Kenyon. Lakes and streams are suffering becuase of the lack of rainfall as well many across these areas are quite low. Our fall color season was compromised and fast becuase of dry conditions and I've also noticed our grass take on a brown appearance way sooner then it normally should. Hopefully the more active weather pattern that is in place will bring rains back into the area.

Wintery System impacting the area Tomarrow. Rain/snow mix starting in the evening changing to all snow by Tuesday Night, Heavy snow possible, but ammounts lowered.

 Regional Weather View.

The regions 1st Wintery System of the season will be impacting parts of the Upper Midwest Tuesday through Wednesday. This system will produce significant, much needed rains in Southeast Iowa, Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin. While snow is likely on the storms Northwest side, some of which may be significant amounts in Northern Iowa, Southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

 Local View.

Note: The storm system is showing an easterly trend, and becuase of this snowfall amounts have been lowered. Also the timing of it will be delayed until this evening, and temperatures will be warmer then what was forecasted. Locally this system will start of as a rain or snow mix developing Tuesday evening, and in After highs top out in the middle 40s, then will drop towards evening, and Eventually as temps lower even more. any the rain or snow mix will be all snow, and some of this could develop into heavy snow during the overnight hours. Lows will be in the low 30s just below freezing, so slick roads should not be too much of a hazard, but is still possible. The snow will continue to fall through the 1st part of Wednesday, and could still be heavy during the morning, Before the snow ends Wednesday Afternoon, rain may mix with or change back to a light rain or drizzle. Highs will be in the mid to upper 30s on Wednesday with the new snowcover. Skies will start to clear Wednesday Night, allowing Lows will cool into the lower middle 20s. Thursday will be sunny, and much of the snow that doesn't melt Wednesday will melt. Highs will be in the low 40s on Wednesday with lows falling back into the lower to mid 20s.

Snowfall Accumulation Potential

Snowfall amounts are extremely difficult on winter systems this early in the season, with their changeable tracks and warm ground temperatures, but it appears that there will generally be a temporary accumulation of 1-3 inches of snow area wide. Amounts have been lowered to 1-2 inches for places such as Austin, The Rochester Metro, Winona, Cannon Falls and Red Wing by Wednesday Morning. While they have been raised to 2-3 occurring in the far southeastern areas. This snow will be the very wet heavy type, so impacts may including, slippery untraveled side roads, breaking trees limbs on conifer or deciduous trees that still have leaves. Even thought this system does not look as significant, People in the area should also remember their winter driving skills, as this will be the 1st snow, and 1st snow accumulation for much of the area.

Tuesday, Cloudy during the daytime hours with developing rain and snow towards evening. Highs in the mid 40s. Tuesday Night, breezy, Rain/snow turning to all snow and becoming heavy at times. Lows in the low 20s.

Wednesday, Cold, and breezy, Snow in the morning, possible heavy at times, then mixing with light rain or drizzle in the afternoon before ending. Winds gusting to 30MPH at times. Highs in the mid to upper 30s. Total system snowfall accumulations of 1-3 inches possible area wide. Wednesday Night, Clearing skies, lows in the lower to mid 20s.

Thursday, Warmer, Sunny skies, highs in the lower 40s. Thursday Night, Clear skies, lows in the lower to mid 20s.

 Looking ahead forecast is not available at this time, but I will issue one when I can.
 

Nice warm weekend ahead, but breezy to windy at times with 40+ MPH winds Saturday. Pleasent weather for Monday.

Regional Weather view.

Weather over the weekend will feature a system passing across the region.  This system will bring rain, and snow to Northwestern Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, and dry, sunny, but windy conditions to Minnesota, Most of Wisconsin and Iowa. It will be mild on the southeastern side of the system. Places will warm into the 60s.

                                          Local View

 Locally, We can expect to have a mainly dry, but windy weekend. Winds will gust from the south over 40MPH at times over the entire area, especially on Saturday. Sunday will still be breezy, but not quite as windy winds will be under 30MPH. Under sunny skies will, highs will warm to middle to upper 50s both says, with some places reaching 60. Lows will be in the middle 40s on Saturday night, to the low 30s Sunday Night. There is a small chance of some showers developing Saturday Night or early Sunday Morning, but amounts will be very light if any. Most areas will probably even stay dry. Monday will be much of the same, but winds will be light, and it will be a bit cooler. Lower to middle 50s for highs, and showers could start to develop on our next system, which is described in more detail below.





Metro View

Saturday, Mild and Windy, Southerly winds gusting over 40MPH at times. Otherwise sunny with highs in the upper 50s to 60.F Saturday Night, A chance of a light shower, otherwise partly cloudy with lows in the mid to upper 40s.

Sunday, Partly Cloudy and breezy, Southerly winds gusting to 25MPH at times, Highs in the mid 50s. Sunday Night. Clear Skies, lows in the low 30s.

Monday, Nice! Sunny less wind, highs in the low to mid 50s. Monday Night, Developing clouds and a chance of showers late. Lows in the upper 30s.

Looking Ahead & Midweek system.

There is still significant un certainty with this next system for Midweek, but it appears that it has the chance to bring the area some chances at higher amounts of rain then resent systems have. Also it is important to mention a couple of models do show cold air mixing in enough with this system that snow would be a possibility And a few models even show that heavy snow with minor accumulations may be a possibility, even for the local area, especially on Tuesday Night. But becuase there has been alot of change over the past few days, it will really depend on where this system tracks for what we get. Looking further into the models It clears out and dries out for the start of weekend of the 11th. Rainshowers move into the area with a warm front on Sunday. Then it gets very active with the models A strong system passes the area just to the east, dragging cold air into our area right in time for a significant storm system to hit on the 18th. Right now is has the potential to bring rains, and significant snows and wind to the area. But it is far to early to say for sure. It dries out and turns very cold following this system for the weekend of the 20th.

Very cold this morning, some places fell into the middle teens!

 front yard on a cold morning in West Downtown Rochester.

A very cold air was felt area wide this morning, no matter where you were in Southeastern Minnesota. A strong cold high pressure system sat right over the area through out the day yesterday leading to clear skies through out the night last night, this set up the perfect stage stage for the temperatures to drop, on our lengthening night hours. Lows fell generally in the 20s, but a few spots as cold as the middle teens were reported! They are by no means record lows, but it was certainly cold for this time of year! At my station the lows was 22.F which is the coldest reading so far this season. Leaves that were left on the tender Redbud in the backyard were dropped off by morning, and the neighborhood streets had a new coloring of leaves on the ground from some trees.

Lows Friday Morning.

The chillest area wide low was from Oronoco with a very chilly low of 14.F! The warmest low was from Preston at 31.F, where more clouds were present. for the Rochester Metro, the two warmest readings came from inner city thermometers, West Downtown (my sta.) and North River Court both fell to 22.F, but now far out of the city suburban areas temps were easily a few degrees colder in the low 20s and teens.