As Minneapolis braces for a festive but chilly week ahead, residents can expect to bundle up amidst mostly cloudy skies and some chances of precipitation. Today's weather in the Twin Cities is mostly sunny with a high near 29 degrees, but don't let the sunshine deceive you — there's a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 10 mph, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Once the sun dips below the horizon, temperatures will drop to around 19 degrees.
Tonight's calm is but a precursor for what lies ahead. The forecast warns of a low around 19 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. As tomorrow rolls in, you can expect similar conditions with the mercury barely climbing to a high near 35 as southeast winds gently blow at around 5 mph.
The overcast continues Wednesday night with a low around 25 degrees and calm northeast winds nudging their way through after midnight. Christmas Day promises no different, with the sky remaining mostly cloudy and temperatures hovering around a high near 35 degrees, while northeast winds shift southeast in the afternoon.
Looking toward the weekend, the likelihood of rain trickles into the picture Thursday night with a 30 percent chance of precipitation. Cloudy days are forecasted through to Friday with a high near 38 degrees, but don't pack away the winter gear just yet. The weather service’s report signals a slight chance of freezing rain on Saturday, especially in the afternoon hours when conditions are ripe for a mix of rain and freezing temperatures as winds shift from south to west.
Saturday night could see a slight chance of freeze rain before 9 p.m., followed by a possible brief flirtation with snow between 9 p.m. and midnight. Conditions will be blustery, with west-northwest winds reaching 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. Ventures outdoors on Sunday should be brisk with a high near 13 degrees and similar gusty winds. The week commences with a sunny Monday, offering a bit of respite from the clouds, as temperatures peak near 14 degrees and winds maintain a calmer pace around 10 mph.
