5:32 PM Friday, April 19, 2024
Temperatures lingered in the 30s across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin this afternoon, a figure that is significantly below the average for April 19th.
Normal highs in the Northland on April 19
Brainerd, MN: 56
Ashland, WI: 52
International Falls, MN: 52
Duluth, MN: 51
Hibbing, MN: 51
Scattered snow showers are expected to persist across the Northland tonight. The primary impact of these showers will be temporary decreases in visibility. Snowfall accumulations are expected to stay below one inch tonight.
The average date for the last one-inch snowfall in Duluth is April 12th, with the latest recorded on May 19th, 2019.
The average date for the last snowfall of at least 0.1 inch in Duluth is April 26th, with the latest recorded on May 28th, 1965.
The forecast for Northland this weekend is predominantly dry, though there may be some light snow flurries in parts of northwest Wisconsin on Saturday.
The warmest and sunniest day of the weekend is expected to be Sunday, with high temperatures ranging from the 50s to about 60 degrees.
Duluth has experienced a period of windy conditions, and it appears that the breezy weather will persist. Westerly winds are expected to continue gusting up to approximately 30 mph at times through Sunday.
The next opportunity for widespread precipitation is forecasted for early next week when a low-pressure area and an upper-level trough move east-southeast from southwest Canada and the northern Rockies. This system may deliver another bout of rain to northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin from late Monday afternoon through Monday night, with the possibility of some residual showers on Tuesday.
The forecast for early next week suggests that the Northland region may receive approximately one-tenth to one-quarter inch of rain.
A closer look into next week suggests the possibility of a trough re-emerging over the western U.S., while an upper-level ridge might form across the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, and eastern U.S. Such a pattern could result in active weather conditions returning to the Plains and upper Midwest by late next week or next weekend.
Today, a cold air mass enveloped the upper Midwest, bringing 850mb temperatures down to as low as -9°C.
Despite today’s chill in the Northland, the overall temperature this month has been warmer than average, with an increase of about 4 to 6 degrees above the norm.
This month in Duluth, 74% of the days have experienced temperatures above the average, while only 16% have been below the average.
Today, an upper-level low and trough spanned from central Canada to the upper Midwest and Great Lakes. This system is expected to move eastward, distancing itself from the Northland by Saturday.
Goes-16 water vapor loop from Friday, April 19, 2024. Loop time ends 3:40 PM CT.
Today, a multitude of clouds are drifting east-southeast across the region, situated on the southern flank of the upper low to our north. These clouds are expected to persist through tonight and into Saturday, yet we anticipate intermittent sunshine throughout the day. A much brighter and sunnier sky is forecasted for Sunday.
Goes-16 visible satellite loop from Friday, April 19, 2024. Loop time ends 3:56 PM CT.
Thanks for reading!
Tim