Minneapolis is waking up to a raw, wintry feel this morning, with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures hovering near 30°F at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. A brisk northwest wind is adding extra bite to the air, and afternoon highs are only expected to limp to about 46°F, with northwest winds of 10–15 mph and gusts that could top out around 35 mph.
Afternoon Gusts Could Be a Nuisance
The NWS Twin Cities is calling for northwest winds of 10–15 mph this afternoon, with gusts up to 35 mph that could send loose patio furniture sliding and make walks or bike rides across exposed bridges less than pleasant. Stronger gusts are likely near riverfronts and on higher spots around town, so budgeting a little extra time for afternoon errands is not a bad idea. Winds should ease after sunset, which will dial back the gust factor by this evening.
Late-Night Flurries Could Sneak In
A weak disturbance may drag in a few snow showers late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. Ground temperatures are above freezing and the grass is already greening up, so any flakes that fall are not expected to stick. The odds are low and any snow should be brief; if you are out late, you might spot a few wet flakes clinging to grassy spots or overpasses before they melt away. We talked about the quick mood swings of this mid‑April pattern in that mid-April heat blast.
From Chill to Almost 80 in Just a Few Days
The real plot twist arrives early next week. Temperatures bounce back sharply on Monday with highs near 62°F, then climb into the lower 70s by Tuesday and could approach 79°F on Wednesday. After that, a stronger system is expected to move in, boosting the chances for showers and thunderstorms from late Thursday into Friday. The NWS Twin Cities forecast shows this mid‑week warmth will be short lived but impressive for mid‑April. If you are planning outdoor time, it is worth watching the timing of those late‑week storms and any renewed afternoon gusts.
