Minneapolis residents can expect mostly cloudy skies with temperature highs lingering in the mid-30s throughout the Christmas holiday, as detailed in the latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service. "Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36," today's forecast states, with a light south southeast wind around 5 mph. The night will bring similar conditions, while Christmas Day is also set to remain mostly cloudy. The forecast also indicates the possibility of a temperature drop to 14 degrees by Saturday night, with a 20 percent chance of snow before midnight.
The rest of the week will have temperatures fluctuating slightly above and below the freezing mark. However, residents should prepare for a notable change over the weekend as a cold front moves in, potentially leading to blustery conditions. According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, strong northwest wind gusts over 40 mph are expected "Saturday night into Sunday from western through south central Minnesota." This could quickly change the region's relatively mild weather into a more severe winter scenario.
In addition to the high winds, the National Weather Service also warns of a chance for freezing drizzle both Thursday and Friday, stating, "Any ice accumulation would be light, but may impact travel into Thursday morning." The conditions are not predicted to improve significantly until Monday, when sunny skies with a high near 12 are expected, providing a brief respite from cloud coverage.
The forecast and weather outlook overall suggest that while travel for holiday gatherings may largely be uninterrupted by weather conditions, drivers should remain more vigilant than usual, particularly towards the end of the week. The NWS advises that any ice accumulation would be light, but may impact travel Thursday through Friday morning. With the approach of the gusty weekend, residents need to stay informed and exercise caution, especially considering the potential for quickly changing weather patterns in the region.
