Updraft: May 15, 2009 Archive

Cool front, spells thunderstorms

Posted at 8:14 AM on May 15, 2009 by Craig Edwards

If the daytime heating cranks up sufficiently in central Minnesota, the arrival of a cool front this afternoon could trigger strong thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail.

Portions of the Twin Cities have had a very dry spring and could use a good soaking. At this stage, many would be happy with a quick third of an inch. But we all would rather have it without hail.

It will be a day to keep a heads up as thunder clouds likely blossom this afternoon.

Winds and chilly temperatures are on the weather menu for Saturday. Nearly calm conditions and mostly clear skies on Saturday night set the stage for some frost to form.

CE

Forecast: Rain then cooler

Posted at 2:43 PM on May 15, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Twin Cities NWS radar shows a line of showers and thunderstorms west of the metro as of 2:38pm Friday.

If you don't like the weather in Minnesota, just wait 15 minutes.

It's that kind of a day today. Sunny, then breezy, then warmer, then cloudy, then rain, then colder. Three seasons in one day.

A sharp cold front is cutting through Minnesota today. Expect windy and mild conditions ahead of the front. The line of rain will move through during the next few hours. In the metro, we can expect rain anytime between about 4pm and 9pm tonight. There is a slight risk of svere weather with hail and high winds. It appears for now most of the storms will behave. Look for rainfall amounts generally under .25" with some lucky spots receiving a bit more.

Twin Cities radar loop
Twin Cities NWS statements and possible warnings

Behind the front windy and much colder weather is pushing in. Look for pleanty of sun this weekend, but temperatures will not climb out of the 50's with a gusty northwest wind on Saturday. Sunday looks like the nicer day. Plenty of sun, less wind, and slightly milder temperatures in the 60's will grace the metro, with upper 50's up north.

Monday looks milder in the 70's. Our warm-up next week may be on hold as a slightly cooler air mass tries to nose in from Canada. It still looks like warmer weather will push in for Memorial Day weekend.

PH