Minneapolis residents should enjoy the sunny skies and the mild 63-degree warmth today, because a rapid shift in the weather is about to turn those clear skies grey. According to the National Weather Service, the city is set to experience a brisk south wind transitioning to the southwest, potentially reaching gusts up to 30 mph. By tonight, the temperature will drop slightly, with partly cloudy skies and a low hovering around 34.
City dwellers can expect to quickly to adjust their plans for Tuesday as snow is likely to enter the forecast, mainly after 3:00 p.m. The weather will take a nosedive as temperatures, which are predicted to rise to near 38 by morning, will fall drastically to around 25 degrees for the rest of the day. "Breezy conditions coupled with patchy blowing snow after 4 p.m. could make for hazardous travel conditions," stated a release from the National Weather Service. With winds ranging from a light and variable breeze to north-northwest gusts as strong as 35 mph, the chance of precipitation is pegged at a solid 70 percent.
For those hoping the snowfall might be brief, Tuesday night's forecast suggests a small respite is in store. Snow chances diminish before 8 p.m., shifting to a possibility of flurries between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. However, patchy blowing snow before 10 p.m. is still expected, with the temperatures plummeting to a low of around 8 degrees. It'll be a blustery night, as north-northwest winds, reaching speeds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph, blow through the city. The likelihood of precipitation drops to 40 percent.
Wednesday promises to bring back the sun, though it will shine down on a much colder Minneapolis, with highs near 23 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, the cold snap will be brief as the weather pattern shifts again, with temperatures projected to climb consistently heading toward the weekend. Thursday and Friday are set to be sunny, with highs of 49 and 57 degrees respectively, and continued breezy conditions.
By the weekend, those spring-like conditions will make a comeback, promising mostly sunny days with highs in the low 60s. However, by Saturday night temperatures are set to dip to around 47, with partly cloudy skies. Sunday rounds out the rollercoaster week with a 20 percent chance of rain, partly sunny conditions, and high temperatures possibly reaching near 67 degrees, but residents should brace for more wind, as gusts could surge as high as 35 mph.
