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Forecast Update: Metro snow

Posted at 2:25 PM on May 6, 2010 by Paul Huttner (5 Comments)
Filed under: Drought, Rainfall, Snow

1 metro snow.PNG
NAM 84 hour snowfall forecast paints snow in the metro Friday night.

The other show is about to drop with a big thud.

The latest forecast model runs are clustering around a more consistent solution that will change a cold rain over to snow Friday night in the Twin Cities and much of central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. All indications are that we should be ready to see some slushy accumulations on at least lawns and grassy areas around the metro by late Friday night and Saturday morning.

A potent and unseasonable cold low pressure system is tracking east into Minnesota Friday. The system will start as rain in all but far northwest Minnesota, but as colder air works in to the system by Friday night, rain will change to snow.

I would not be shocked to see 1" to 3" of slushy wet snow accumulation in the metro by Saturday morning. The best chance for a 3" total will come in the north metro. Further north, as much as 3" to an isolated 6" could fall from Hinckley to Rice Lake as the system winds up into early Saturday.

The rain that falls will be a blessing for much of Minnesota which remains in or near drought status. Many locations may receive an inch of rainfall.

11d13_fill.gif

Be prepared for changing wintery weather conditions through Saturday morning.

-Twin cities radar loop

PH

Comments (5)

Why must all meteorologists take so much joy in constantly reminding us that "we knew the other shoe" was going to drop or that we had already had our "record mild spring" before this? The near-admonishing tone we are treated to after a period of pleasant weather ends is unnecessary. We know we were lucky to have the nice early spring and, yes, many of us aren't happy about snow in May. The suggestion that natural swings in weekly/monthly weather are a price we pay for enjoyment of nice weather makes it harder to enjoy warm weather, knowing that a meteorologist's "I told you so" is imminent. Do any readers actually enjoy the "I told you so?" Weather is what it is and nobody should have to feel guilty for enjoying nice weather or like they are doing penance for that enjoyment once a new jet stream pattern kicks in.

Posted by MT | May 7, 2010 11:25 AM

MT:

Thanks for the comment but I think you're reading too much into the post.

The notion of the "other shoe dropping" is simply a reference to a dramatic and probably inevitable swing to cooler and wetter weather this week. The point is weather extremes usually balance out over time.

The comment refers to the weather, not to you, or other listeners/readers, or to any notion that we should feel guilt (??) over the changes.

Hope you enjoy the return to sunshine this weekend.

PH


Posted by Paul Huttner | May 7, 2010 2:19 PM

I have been wondering if any of our recent cooler weather has anythng to with all of the ash floating around in the atmosphere from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. I remember it being a cooler than usual summer after Mt. St. Helens blew.

thanks,

Bill

Posted by Bill | May 7, 2010 2:41 PM

Paul, do you have any evidence to support your claim that weather extremes balance out? I agree with MT. Weathercasters seem to feel that there is some cosmic force that will punish us with lousy weather if we are "gifted" some nice weather. It's flat wrong.

Bill, the summer of 1980 was a very hot and dry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_United_States_heat_wave

Posted by Disco | May 7, 2010 2:53 PM

Hi Disco:

"Paul, do you have any evidence to support your claim that weather extremes balance out?"

Yes. It's called average. Look at any month and you'll see temperatures do not follow the "average" for that date. They swing widely from day to day, week to week. "Average" weather is really the result of adding up the extremes.

"I agree with MT. Weathercasters seem to feel that there is some cosmic force that will punish us with lousy weather if we are "gifted" some nice weather. It's flat wrong."

I can't speak for "weathercasters" but I can assure you my comments apply only to the weather as of late. I am a good weather fan too, and why would I want to punish anyone with bad weather...especially on Friday?

Have a great weekend.

PH

Posted by Paul Huttner | May 7, 2010 3:36 PM

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