For the third year in a row, it looks like we're getting a dose of winter in April. There was a 10 inch snowfall last year, 15 inches in 2018, and now another (lesser at least) storm is heading our way on Easter Sunday.
WCCO Meteorologist Paul Douglas is predicting 3-6 inches of wet, sloppy snow for the Twin Cities with more to the south and east of the metro.
"Yep. Every (computer) run is a little farther north and wetter (whiter) for MSP. It's still early - there will be shifts in track and totals," Paul said.
Let me take your mind off COVID-19 for 10 seconds. Both ECMWF and NAM suggest plowable amounts of cement-like slush on Easter Sunday. What fun!It seems physical distancing does not apply to Old Man Winter. @StarTribune @wccoradio pic.twitter.com/GO0XJneR8U
— Paul Douglas (@pdouglasweather) April 10, 2020The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the region, from Sunday morning through Monday morning. Mixed precipitation will transition to a wet snow later on Sunday.
Snowfall rates of one inch per hour or higher appear possible Sunday afternoon and evening which will allow the snow to quickly accumulate. The chance for snowfall amounts of 6 inches or more appears highest from southern and east central Minnesota into west central Wisconsin. This will be a heavy, wet snow. Some tree damage and power outages could occur due to the combination of gusty winds and the heavy wet snow.
A winter storm will impact the region Sunday into Monday. Mixed precipitation will transition to snow Sunday and continue into early Monday. There remains uncertainty on the storm's track and where the heaviest snowfall will occur, so continue to monitor forecasts. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/5t6v6PJPMR
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) April 11, 2020As is typical in Minnesota, snow is followed by cold. The stay-at-home order is going to challenge Minnesotans who like to get outdoors. The next few days will not cooperate with that desire.
It will be relatively cold for mid-April on Monday and Tuesday, with highs in the low 30's and a hard freeze overnight. If you've uncovered some of your perennials, you might want to spend part of Saturday covering them back up.
The good news? With a sun angle that is as high this time of year as late August, it'll all melt quickly. We return to 40's and even low 50's by the end of the week. Plus the long range guidance hints at a return of warmer spring weather by the last week of April.
