/Issued 3:37 PM CST, Saturday, December 29th, 2012/
Today’s Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
There’s a weak cold front moving southeast through the Northland Today, this front kept some flurries and snow showers going in our area, but accumulations if any have been very minimal. High temperatures were in the teens to lower 20s with winds out of the southwest or northwest at 10 to 15 mph.
Today’s Upper Level Analysis:
A northwest flow covered the Upper Midwest Today while an upper trough moves east into the Rockies per water vapor satellite imagery. 850mb temperatures as of 3 PM ranged from -6 to -10C in Western and Southern Minnesota to -12 to -16C in Central and Northern Minnesota.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Short Term – Confidence: High.
Tonight (December 29th)
Scattered snow showers and flurries will persist This Evening, and then mainly dry for the Overnight hours. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast and it will be a cold one as low temperatures drop into the 5 above to 15 below range. Winds will be from the northwest or southwest at around 10 mph.
Sunday and Sunday Night (December 30th)
Low pressure passes north of Minnesota this period with a warm front and cold front connected to this low passing through our area. Light snow and flurries could affect Northern Minnesota on Sunday with accumulations less than 1″. Sunday Night could feature some flurries or light snow showers throughout the Northland as cold air moves in. High temperatures on Sunday will be in the teens and 20s. Lows Sunday Night will range from zero to 20 below in Northern Minnesota to the single digits and teens above zero in Northwest Wisconsin. Southerly winds Tomorrow will turn to the northwest Tomorrow Night at 10 to 20 mph.
Extended Forecast – Confidence: Medium.
Monday through Wednesday (December 31st-January 2nd)
A few flurries are possible on Monday with high temperatures only in the single digits below to around 10 above zero. Low temperatures Monday Night should tank into the 10 below to 25 below range with mainly dry conditions. Tuesday and Wednesday could feature some snow showers and flurries at times as two clipper systems affect the Upper Midwest. Highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the single digits and teens with lows Tuesday Night ranging from around 5 above to 15 below.
Note: There is a potential for some accumulating snowfall, especially on Wednesday but the exact details are somewhat uncertain. The most likely area that could pick up a few inches of snow looks to be along the South Shore of Lake Superior in Northwest Wisconsin, but this may also extend as far west as the Twin Ports and up toward Two Harbors.
Long Range Forecast – Confidence: High.
(January 3rd-8th)
Looks mainly dry from the 3rd-5th. Chances for some light snow could return at times between the 6th-8th as more clipper like systems move southeast out of Western Canada. Below average temperatures are forecast on the 3rd and 4th with near to above average temperatures forecast from the 5th-8th.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Flurries and snow showers at times early. Considerable cloudiness with skies becoming mostly clear later on. Low 0 to 5 below. Wind west around 10 mph.
.Sunday… Partly sunny. High 17 to 22. Wind south to southwest at 10 to 15 mph.
.Sunday Night… Mostly cloudy. Flurries possible. Low 0 to 5 below. Wind becoming northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
.New Year’s Eve… Flurries possible early, otherwise partly cloudy. High 8 to 13.
.Monday Night… Mostly clear. Cold. Low 11 below to 16 below.
.New Year’s Day… Partly sunny. Flurries possible. High 10 to 15.
.Tuesday Night… Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 3 below to 8 below.
.Wednesday… Snow showers or flurries possible. Mostly cloudy. High 10 to 15.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 19
Low: 3
Sunrise Sunday: 7:54 AM CST
Sunset Sunday: 4:29 PM CST
Tim