Good afternoon everyone! The storm system that brought accumulating snows to the far northern/northeastern portions of the region has since exited. However, we have additional weak waves of energy to discuss over the next couple of days. Energy lifting out of the Rockies is expected to bring a scattered area of snow showers possibly mixing with rain at times to western SD that quickly pushes eastward through the overnight hours, impacting portions of eastern SD into southern MN.
We’re also tracking a weak pulse of energy north of the shortwave trough mentioned above that will likely bring areas of light flurries/snow showers to northeastern ND and northern MN tonight that lingers well through the day Tuesday. However, most of the activity will be found in northern MN during the daytime hours Tuesday.
Simulated radar through 12pm CST Tuesday: The shortwave trough brings a light wave of scattered snow showers mixing with rain at times across limited areas in SD this evening and overnight with most of this activity exiting eastern SD and working through southern MN by early morning. By the time 8am CST Tuesday rolls around, southern MN will have cleared this precipitation. Elsewhere, we’ll watch areas of light flurries/snow showers impact portions of northeastern ND late tonight and far northern MN by early morning. As the morning progresses, northeastern ND will clear most of the precipitation but will continue chances in northern MN.
Simulated radar from 12pm CST Tuesday through 12pm CST Wednesday: By the evening hours Tuesday, much colder air will have funneled into the region with the energy long since lifting east. The cold air aloft will help to squeeze out any residual moisture in the atmosphere and continue flurry/light snow shower chances Tuesday evening/night in northern MN. Heading towards Wednesday morning, areas of light snow showers/flurries will have weakened/faded but we can’t rule out light snow showers persisting in far northern MN (near the Canadian border) through mid-Wednesday morning.
We’ll also have strong wind gusts through Tuesday night which could make for lower visibilities at times if you are under a snow shower. Regarding the timing, winds will pick up overnight from the west with gusts as high as 35mph. Wind gusts will be at their peak come Tuesday afternoon with gusts approaching 40-45mph at times, especially in southern MN. As the systems clear the area, the winds will gradually die down with the western Dakotas working in much calmer winds by Wednesday morning. However, breezy conditions will likely linger in MN at this time. The second image below shows the areas currently under Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings.
Here’s a look at total snowfall with the system tonight and with scattered snow activity through Wednesday: Overall, models have backed down further on snow potential with tonight’s system, with most areas in SD and southern MN likely not receiving any measurable snow accumulation. The system will gain some strength late tonight/early Tuesday morning in southeastern MN where a light dusting of up to 0.5″ of snow is possible (though will remain rather limited). Further north in northern MN, light snow accumulations become more likely with generally 0.5-1″ of snow expected, especially the further north you head across the state. Localized pockets near 1.5″ of snow will be possible before all is set and done.
Temperatures will take a dive into Tuesday with many in northeastern ND likely not warming above the single digits during the day. With that colder air working in, warming through the day generally won’t occur so high temperatures in the teens will be prevalent in eastern ND and northern MN. Heading into Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, temperatures will dip into the negatives in northern/eastern ND and northwestern MN. This is the cold air that will help to squeeze out any residual moisture in the atmosphere across northern MN Tuesday.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great evening!