/Issued 3:36 PM CDT, Friday, March 20, 2015/
Radar image from 4:15 PM Today. The solid black line is a rough estimate on where the rain-snow line is as of 4 PM Today. Rain southeast of that black line and mostly snow northwest of that line. The rain-snow line will continue to sag slowly south/east This Evening but the precipitation will also be coming to an end from northwest to southeast through the Evening hours.
Upper Midwest radar loop ending at 4 PM Today. Source, WSI.
Blue=Snow
Green=Rain
Pink=Mixed precipitation
*Updated storm track for Tuesday and Wednesday (March 24-25) The blue outline area on the map is where there could be some accumulating snow, or a mixture of snow and rain. Stay tuned!
-Today, March 20th marks the 15th consecutive day with a high temperature of at least 32 degrees at the Duluth Airport (3/6-3/20) High temps this weekend might struggle to reach the freezing mark so this streak could come to an end either on Saturday or Sunday. Time will tell.
-Average temperature for March thru the 19th at the Duluth Airport 29.9 degrees which is +6.4 degrees warmer than average.
Weather Summary for March 20, 2015
Location: Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Quite a contrast in weather conditions over the Northland Today. An area of low pressure averaging 1012mb was over Southwest Minnesota as of 3 PM with a cold front tracking southeast out of Western and Northern Minnesota. Strong Frontogenesis has moved into the area from the northwest This Afternoon which has led to an area of precipitation. Dry air in place has caused quite a bit of evaporative cooling — Basically what this is is precipitation falling through the atmosphere but it’s too dry for it to reach the ground, so the temperature drops closer to the dew point, once they get closer to together the precipitation will start to reach the ground. High temperatures Today ranged from the 40s and lower 50s in Northwest Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota and along the North Shore of Lake Superior with 30s common across North Central Minnesota. Winds were out of the north, northwest, or southwest at 10 to around 20 mph.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Short Term Forecast – Confidence: High.
Tonight (March 20)
A cold front and area of low pressure will exit to the south/east Tonight. Looks like the rain/snow line is right on the -2C 925mb temperature contour and where 850mb temperatures are around -3C to -4C late This Afternoon — We should see rain continue in Northwest Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota, but as temperatures drop there should be a gradual change over from rain to wet snow before the precipitation ends by mid or late Evening.
Wet snow or a rain/snow mix across North Central parts of Minnesota will turn to all snow before the precipitation ends by early or mid Evening.
Note: Slushy snow accumulations of 1″ or less are possible along the Highway 2 corridor in Minnesota while 1-2″ of snow could fall This Evening in parts of Northern Wisconsin, especially in Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron Counties.
Low temperatures Tonight will be in the teens and 20s with single digits possible in far Northern Minnesota. Winds will be out of the north or northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday and Saturday Night (March 21)
High pressure will be in control of our weather during this period. Partly cloudy skies are forecast with highs on Saturday in the 20s and 30s with lows Saturday Night in the teens and 20s. North or northwest winds are expected Tomorrow at 10 to 20 mph with winds out of the north or east Tomorrow Night at 10 to 15 mph.
Extended Forecast – Confidence: High.
Sunday through Tuesday (March 22-24)
Stays dry on Sunday with high pressure over Ontario while low pressure covers the Western High Plains. Highs on Sunday will be in the 20s and 30s with lows Sunday Night in the 20s.
A few snow or rain showers are possible on Monday but most of the area should stay dry with highs in the 30s and 40s with cooler temperatures near Lake Superior. Lows Monday Night will be in the 20s and 30s.
An area of low pressure is forecast to move into the Northern Plains on Tuesday. This system could bring some rain or snow to the Northland especially by Tuesday Night the way it looks now. Highs on Tuesday will be in the 30s and 40s
Long Range Forecast – Confidence: Medium.
(March 25-30)
A low pressure system could affect the area on Wednesday (25th) Snow or rain is possible over the Northland. Note: There continues to be a chance for accumulating snowfall with this Tuesday Night/Wednesday weather system with a couple inches of snow certainly possible over parts of Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.
Lingering flurries or snow showers are possible Wednesday Night-Thursday; Another system approaching from the northwest could bring some more rain or snow to the region sometime during the 27th-29th time frame.
Near to below average temperatures are expected from the 25th-30th.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH AND SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Light rain mainly before 9 PM. Rain could briefly mix with or change to snow before ending. Mostly cloudy This Evening, becoming partly cloudy late. Turning colder. Low 16 to 21. Wind north to northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
.Saturday… Mostly sunny. High 30 to 35. Wind northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
.Saturday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 13 to 18. Wind becoming northeast at 5 to 15 mph.
.Sunday… Partly cloudy. High 27 to 32.
.Sunday Night… Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 20 to 25.
.Monday… Partly to mostly cloudy. High 35 to 40.
.Monday Night… Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 25 to 30.
.Tuesday… Partly to mostly cloudy. High 40 to 45 but cooler near Lake Superior.
Normal temperatures for Friday
High: 36
Low: 19
Sunrise Saturday: 7:10 AM CDT
Sunset Saturday: 7:22 PM CDT
Tim