WCCO Chief Meteorologist Paul Douglas has some breaking news Tuesday. It's about to get cold. And it might snow. Not exactly shocking for Minnesota in late-October, but you're about to get your first taste of winter.
In a fall that has seen much warmer than usual temperatures, Douglas says we are due for a reality check and it is coming by the weekend. First, we have some unseasonable thunderstorms and rain to get through Tuesday and Wednesday, then the temps will drop to more November-like levels in time for Halloween. You might need a warmer costume.
"The honeymoon is just about over, and what a shock. The sun is as high in the sky today as it was on February 16th, so we shouldn't be too surprised or indignant that it's going to cool off," explains Douglas. "We've had a nice, long, lukewarm autumn."
First we deal with some rain, which Douglas says will mainly be south.
"Today, just rain and a few embedded thunderstorms," Douglas says. "Heaviest rain south of the metro where there could be some one inch plus amounts. Generally getting wetter as the day goes on. I think generally widespread showers and a few rumbles of thunder this afternoon and this evening."
There is marginal risk of severe weather but Douglas says he doesn't see any widespread storms of severe storms, but a few south could include hail.
"We dry out tomorrow, still relatively mild, highs near 60," Douglas says about Wednesday. "Clouds lingering and another surge of rain coming in Wednesday night into Thursday. I think the metro picking up generally about a half an inch of rain over the next couple days. Less north of the metro, more south of the metro."
By Friday the real change begins Douglas told Tom Hauser on the WCCO Morning News.
"It turns windy and colder, temperatures falling through the 40s," Douglas said. "By the weekend weekend it will be cold enough for a little bit of wet snow. Possibly a mix of wet snow and rain on Saturday. I really don't expect any accumulation. I wouldn't be shocked to see reports of a coating of slush, especially Sunday morning."
Douglas adds that whatever does fall will quickly melt with temperatures above freezing for highs. Then for next week, break out the heavier jackets.
"It's going to be in the 30s next week and trick-or-treating, not sure whether to go as a Elsa from Frozen, or maybe Arctic Explorer Barbie. It's going to be a chilly Halloween. Temperatures in the mid-30s with wind chills in the mid-20s. No Halloween blizzard this year but a reality check."
By the way, the growing season will officially come to an end by early next week because overnight lows will drop into the 20s giving the metro it's first hard freeze of the fall. So far our lowest temp has been just 38. Douglas says your plants are officially done after Monday.
FORECAST
Tuesday: Showers and T-storms into the nighttime hours. High 63, low 51.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and dry. High 62.
Thursday: More rain with a few scattered storms possible. High 60.
Friday: Could be a leftover shower, windy and colder. Winds NW 15-30. High 46.
Saturday: Light snow but it may stay north of the metro. High 40, low 35.
Sunday: Windy, cold with light sprinkles or flurries. Winds N 15-25. High: 39, low 34.
Monday: Some sun and a cold wind NW 15-25. High: 37, low 27.
