Minneapolis woke up shivering on Sunday, April 5, with a brisk, partly cloudy start and temperatures near 31°F at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. Expect mostly sunny skies through the morning before clouds build and a 50% chance of rain showers moves in after 2 p.m. Highs should reach near 50°F, with west-northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By afternoon, the wind will be the main story. West-northwest breezes of 10 to 15 mph will crank up gusts as high as 30 mph, which means bicyclists and drivers on exposed bridges may be wrestling with some serious crosswinds. There are no watches or warnings in effect for the Twin Cities right now, but it is still a good idea to secure loose patio furniture and yard items before the midday pickup, since gusts could cause brief power flickers in vulnerable spots, according to the National Weather Service.
Sunday Night And Monday Chill
There is a slight chance of lingering rain showers early Sunday evening before skies turn mostly cloudy. The low will drop to around 28°F, then creep back into the low 30s overnight. Monday will feel like a step backward, with a high near 38°F and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph making it feel raw, even with sunshine trying to help out.
Looking Ahead
The cold snap will not last long. A rapid warmup is expected from Tuesday into Wednesday, with temperatures climbing into the low 60s by Wednesday and renewed rain chances as a developing system moves in. For background on this pattern and recent early April surprises, see icy mix and howling winds.
What This Means For Your Plans
If you have afternoon errands or outdoor plans on Sunday, plan on blustery, occasionally wet conditions. A light rain jacket will come in handy, and biking or other exposed routes could be pretty unpleasant once the gusts kick up. Check updated forecasts before traveling and secure small outdoor items that might take flight in the stronger winds.
