Minneapolis is bracing for several weather challenges this week, starting with elevated fire risks and rolling into potential snow dumps. The National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook, pinpointing Minneapolis, alongside a foray of Minnesota and parts of west central Wisconsin, as the stage for these climatic swings.
Beginning today and into tonight, the forecast is drawing attention to "elevated fire weather conditions," largely a product of "low relative humidity values but also breezy northwest winds," as per the National Weather Service. The city will see temperatures peaking at 37 degrees under a mostly sunny sky, but it's the winds that seem to quickly begin to pose an immediate concern.
Tuesday and Wednesday won't offer much respite, with the hazardous outlook pegging elevated fire weather conditions to likely persist. Tuesday's threat comes from "strong northwest winds" while Wednesday's risk will be mainly due to "low relative humidity values." In an about-turn, Thursday is forecasted to bring snow, with an 80% chance after 1:00 PM, signaling a break from the dry, fire-prone conditions.
It's later in the week that the forecast becomes worrisomely imprecise, with "the exact location and amount of snow is still uncertain," according to the hazardous outlook report. What's clearer is that the potential for travel disruptions and snow accumulation is definitely on the table for Thursday. The weekend could follow suit, with chances for "additional rounds of snow" looking to increase, but specifics on location and volume remain elusive for the moment.
The shift to snow could continue to hammer Minneapolis residents into the weekend, with a 60% likelihood on Saturday night condensing into a 70% chance of snow on Sunday. Possible mixed precipitation and heavy snowfall could add to the city's woes, with forecasters signaling a breezy 39-degree high to close the week.
