Minneapolis residents are gearing up for a chilly close to the week, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service. Today in the Twin Cities area, a mostly sunny sky won't do much to alleviate the cold, as temperatures hover near a frigid 15 degrees with wind chill values sinking as low as -18. South winds are expected to blow at a pace of 5 to 15 mph, doing little to warm the bones of those braving the outdoors. For those looking into the evening, there's a 40 percent chance of snow after 4 a.m., with temperatures rising to about 21 degrees by the early morning hours and winds persisting from the south southwest at a similar speed.
The forecast for Friday presents a 50 percent chance of snowfall, mainly occurring before 4 p.m., with cloudy skies and high temperatures approaching 29 degrees. The accompanying winds, shifting first from south southwest to west in the afternoon, will be much milder at around 5 mph. As mentioned by the National Weather Service, new snow accumulation could be less than an inch. The evening forecasts a low near 10 degrees, with a west northwest wind around 5 mph.
Heading into the weekend, the outlook doesn't seem much brighter with respect to temperature and snow prospects. Saturday brings a paltry 20 percent chance of snow after noon, with some sun battling partial clouds and highs reaching only 17 degrees, while Saturday night comes with the potential for more snow before the stroke of midnight, amidst mostly cloudy conditions and lows tumbling to around -5 degrees.
For those making plans for Sunday, the day promises a respite of sorts from precipitation with mostly sunny skies, albeit the temperature will only peak near a biting 8 degrees. The Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a heads-up for the early parts of next week, highlighting that the first half could see multiple chances for snow, though no major disruptions are expected at this time.
Residents are advised to stay alert for further updates on the weather, as conditions can change. While no significant accumulation is anticipated from the clipper systems expected on Friday and Saturday, the cold temperatures remain a constant reminder of the winter season's grip on the city. Road safety and preparedness for low visibility during snowfall are of the utmost importance during these times.
