Minneapolis wakes up mostly cloudy this morning with temps parked in the low 30s, right around 34°F. A stubborn late-season spring system is lining up for Friday, April 3, set to drag rain into the metro after midday and ramp things up to steadier showers by Friday evening. Most of the Twin Cities should stay on the rainy side of things, although a brief flip to a rain and snow mix is possible overnight into Saturday in the colder pockets. Central Minnesota can expect a cooler, windier weekend on the backside of the system.
Afternoon Into Friday Night
The National Weather Service expects showers to start developing after noon, with rain chances near 50% through the afternoon and climbing to around 90% overnight. By the time the system pulls out Saturday morning, some neighborhoods could squeeze out a quarter to a half inch of rain, with the chilliest spots seeing a short burst of wet snow. According to the NWS Twin Cities, forecasters have expanded Winter Weather Advisories and posted a Winter Storm Warning for parts of central Minnesota where the heaviest, sloppiest mix of wet snow and ice is most likely. It all comes on the heels of yesterday’s messy start to the month, see our wintry mess.
Commute And Travel
Drivers should plan for slower going Friday evening and into early Saturday. Even if most of what falls is rain, a quick mix can turn some surfaces slushy or briefly icy, especially overnight. MnDOT and local transit agencies may tweak operations if things deteriorate, so it is smart to leave extra time, ease off the gas, and keep an eye on wet or untreated bridges. High profile vehicles should also be ready for a bit of a wrestling match with the wind on Saturday when it snaps around to the west northwest and gusts to about 30 mph.
Weekend Outlook
Saturday, April 4 looks like the blustery troublemaker of the weekend, with highs near 40°F and west northwest winds at 5 to 15 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. Central and northern Minnesota could pick up under a half inch of new snow while the Twin Cities mostly deal with slush rather than shovels. Sunday improves, with more sunshine and a rebound to around 48°F. Temperatures dip again Monday before a more convincing warmup takes aim at midweek. If you are out and about early Sunday, it is worth a quick check on overnight conditions before hitting the road.
What To Watch
From Friday night into Saturday, small temperature swings will tell the story, deciding whether roads stay simply wet or get slick in spots. If you have outdoor plans Saturday morning, waterproof layers and a windproof jacket will be your best friends, and it is a good idea to secure any loose patio furniture ahead of the gusts. For the latest watches and warnings, keep an eye on updates from the NWS and local authorities.
