URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
254 PM CDT Fri Mar 28 2025

...EARLY SPRING STORM TO BRING SNOW AND ICE TO MUCH OF THE AREA...

.A potent storm system crossing the Upper Midwest will bring a mixture of wintry precipitation to central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin. Steady rainfall developing midday Saturday will transition to a mix of snow and freezing rain Saturday evening through much of Saturday night, then change to all snow before ending Sunday evening. Icing amounts Saturday night through Sunday of around a tenth of an inch can be expected, highest of which will be from southwest Minnesota to north of the Twin Cities metro into western Wisconsin. Snow amounts will range 2 to 4 inches from central Minnesota into western Wisconsin, with lesser amounts over western and southern Minnesota.

https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=MPX&wwa=winter%20weather%20advisory

Did you know that marsupial-themed licorice is made in west-central Minnesota?

I did not. Go, Perham!

"Perhaps most vital has been large locally owned businesses reinvesting in this town halfway between Brainerd and Fargo on Hwy. 10: internet service provider Arvig, which started here in 1950 as a telephone company and has stayed local while expanding regionally; Bongards, a farmer-owned cheese-making coop in the midst of a $125 million expansion; and the Nelson family’s KLN Family Brands, Perham’s leading company. Even if you don’t know KLN, you’ve seen their products: Wiley Wallaby licorice, Tuffy’s Pet Foods, Finley’s dog treats, Sweet Chaos drizzled popcorn."
https://www.startribune.com/one-small-towns-recipe-for-success-licorice-dog-food-and-a-familys-generations-long-commitment/601235378

It'll be a nice day for walking the dog after a little light rain overnight.

45℉ in Minneapolis; light NE winds; mostly cloudy skies; visibility ten miles at the airport.

And tomorrow's Friday.

National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
600 AM CDT Thu Mar 27 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- 30+ degree temperature spread from north to south Friday afternoon. Highs will range between the 40s in central Minnesota to the mid 80s in southern Minnesota.

Dateline OTTERTAIL, MINN.

"U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., finally came face to face with her critics on Thursday, but they had to pay $10 to see her. And none of them were allowed to speak to her directly."
https://www.startribune.com/tolkkinen-dollar10-to-see-rep-fischbach-and-they-didnt-even-get-to-ask-their-questions/601241921

On those upbeat notes, let's turn now to the weather.

Good morning from Minneapolis, where the sun's out; the barometer reads Fair; it's 30℉/-1℃ heading for 50℉/10℃.

And visibility is 10 miles at the airport.

Near to above normal temperatures are forecast over the next week.

It's the first day of spring here in the northern hemisphere.

Up 'n' at 'em.

"If the overall trend is more precipitation, why do some Minnesotans feel like they are seeing far less snow in winter than before? Climatologists say that’s likely because Minnesota winters are getting warmer, leading to snow melting more often and even more rain."
https://www.startribune.com/is-winter-weather-whiplash-becoming-minnesotas-new-normal/601233193

“Minnesota is no stranger to winter weather, but conditions can quickly become unpredictable and dangerous,” Walz said in a news release. “As we work to alleviate the dangerous road conditions, the National Guard is stepping up to provide life-saving support.”
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/04/winter-storm-blizzard-minnesota-school-delays-closings

Little house in the big woods. That stucco's looking a little shabby in this light.

A snowy 'mergency is not currently in effect in Minneapolis—normal parking rules apply—but it's only a matter of time.

We got about a half-foot of wet snow. Glad to have it, as growing season is not far away.

The white pine better suited to the Upper Peninsula wilderness is holding up well under the heavy snow and high winds.

Having shoveled, I'm enjoying a toaster waffle with maple syrup, as Laura Ingalls might have done a century-and-a-half ago.

Good morning from Minneapolis, where it looks like Narnia.

26℉; light snow, fog/mist, and windy (North 26, gusting to 37 mph); visibility ½ mile at MSP.

Just the kind of conditions relished by a cigar-chomping Joe Patroni in the 1970 thriller "Airport," which was filmed here.

Heavy snow has weighed down the white pine branches but they're all still attached and the power line's still up. Thankful for under-performing winds overnight.

NWS Twin Cities: "We`ve seen wind gusts peak in the 45 to 50 mph range along I-90 with gusts in the 35-45mph range elsewhere. Previous forecasts had a stronger core of wind gusts, upwards of 55 mph, that likely accounts for slightly "better" conditions this morning. However, we`ve seen rain changeover to snow late yesterday afternoon across portions of central and east-central Minnesota and yesterday evening for far eastern & south-central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. While the winds may be under performing, the snow hasn`t. Several inches of snow has fallen across these locations so far."

'Chautauqua then was a fledgling American cultural and social movement with roots in upstate New York. Its founders believed reading in the arts and sciences would broaden education beyond America’s gilded elite. By the early 20th century, some 10,000 groups had formed.

'By the 1930s, though, the movement began to fade as public education expanded in towns and cities. In many towns, these learning groups eventually foundered.

'But not in Blue Earth. At 142 years old, it’s believed to be the second oldest continuously operating Chautauqua circle in the country. It’s a tradition the current circle of women embraces each time they meet.'
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/03/curious-minds-keep-a-southern-minnesota-book-group-going-for-142-years

Good morning from Minneapolis. It's -13℉, the winds are light from the northwest, the barometer is Very Dry, and visibility is 10 miles at the international airport.

Some schools are closed, including those in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester.

One more day of this cold before a warming trend begins.

No precipitation expected over the next 7 days.

"They say you're not a real bike courier in Edmonton until you do a couple of winters. …

"Why do we do it when it's minus 40 and the wind is blowing and we're cranky and cold? Why do we do it?"
—Mariah

[EDIT: embed not working; click link instead]

Snow Warrior
https://www.nfb.ca/film/snow-warrior/

Good morning from Minneapolis where it's -13℉, fair skies, winds are from the northwest, and visibility 10 miles at the airport.

It's clear and 40 below up in Cook, MN. Wind chill -59℉.

Where is Cook?

Why, it's a few miles south of Wakemup, just west of Lake Vermillion.

That's right. Wakemup. Anybody up for ice fishing?

- Dangerous wind chills as low as 45 below zero this morning and tomorrow morning, with the coldest chills in west-central Minnesota. Air temperatures will not reach above zero until Tuesday afternoon.

- Cold temperatures continue Wednesday with morning wind chills as low as 35 below zero, with a gradual warming trend into the weekend with mid 30s to low 40s possible by Sunday.
—National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

Mark Seeley: "The persistent cold of February is not without precedent. About one year in four February delivers more subzero nights than January. This may be one of those years. …

"In the National Weather Service daily headlines for this February, Minnesota has reported the coldest temperature in the nation three times so far, most recently with -40°F at Cook (St Louis County) on February 13th."
https://blog-weathertalk.extension.umn.edu/2025/02/cold-prevails.html

Uh-oh. Time to hitch up those overalls, youngsters.

Just kidding. Work is overrated. Avoid it if you can.

Life is more than a little money. Don't you know that? And it's a beautiful day.
—your correspondent

Minneapolis Fed:

“We’re still in a tight, tight labor market and I would expect that to be the case for the next 10, 15 years until the next generation is fully in the labor force,” said Angelina Nguyễn, research director at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Part of the reason is more baby boomers are retiring. But new generations entering the labor force aren’t as numerous. This trend is likely stronger in many parts of the Ninth District because the population is older than average.

Labor shortage strains Ninth District employers, and it might get tougher
https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025/labor-shortage-strains-ninth-district-employers-and-it-might-get-tougher

Uh-oh. Good morning from Minneapolis, where it's -7℉, fair skies, light winds, visibility 10 miles at the airport.

2025: 44 day in, 321 to go.

"The fire department evacuated the second-floor apartments, and contacted residents in some nearby homes so they could move their vehicles before they froze to the street."
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/13/water-main-break-floods-building-streets-south-minneapolis

A cold start in Lesser Minnesota — -2℉ in Minneapolis. Mostly cloudy. Light winds. Visibility 10 miles at the airport. But nobody lives at the airport.

- Well-below normal temperatures continue through the next week with a brief warmup to near normal temperatures on Friday.

- Light snow likely across southern Minnesota & west-central Wisconsin today.

- More widespread snow likely Friday afternoon into Saturday with the best chances for accumulations over an inch in Wisconsin and parts of southern Minnesota.

Good morning from Minneapolis, where it's 6 below zero, barometer's Very Dry, the clouds are few, the winds are light from the northwest, and the Moon is full.

2025: 42 days in/323 out.

- Well-below normal temperatures continue through Thursday. Wind chill as low as -20 to -35 possible overnight.

- Light snow likely across southern Minnesota & west-central Wisconsin Wednesday.

- More widespread snow likely Friday afternoon into Saturday.
—Area Forecast Discussion, NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

Good morning from Minneapolis. The big snowstorm's a bust but it's enough of a dusting to require a quick sweep of the front walk. Might get an inch or two more before noon.

Mill City conditions at 7am: 19℉; Light Snow Fog/MIst; visibility 4 miles at the airport.

- Much colder next week, with temperatures 20-30 degrees below normal midweek.

Good morning from Minneapolis. It's 8℉, we've a few clouds, visibility is 10 miles at the airport.

Could be worse. Could be raining.

Temperatures will be in the 20s so any liquid precipitation will freeze on contact. Freezing drizzle concerns decrease as you head into the Twin Cities and locations further north. Snow chances are best north of I-94, across east-central Minnesota, where 2 to 4" seems likely. Elsewhere, accumulations drop off quickly with most lucky to measure a half inch to an inch by Thursday morning. Our snow ratios should be at or below climatology during the event with some better ratios around Mille Lacs. This will likely give way to graupel pellets given the dry air concerns. For those in the Twin Cities metro, the evening commute could face some impacts despite limited snow forecast. This means it may take some extra time to get home.
— forecast discussion, NWS Twin Cities