The next 72-hours across the Upper Midwest will bring 3 different small scale systems through, all just as unexciting as the last. Right now, with the exception of extreme northern Minnesota, most of the precipitation from these systems will falls as either rain, freezing rain, or sleet. This is because of the complete lack of arctic air in the atmosphere over the area at this time. This will also keep our temperatures rather steady between day and night across the region, and above freezing as well.

Accumulations between now and Sunday night based on P-type. Note scale on snowfall.

All said and done, don’t look for anyone to pick up more than a dusting of snow anywhere across the region between now and the beginning of next week. That combined with the warm overnight temperatures means the slopes stand to be pretty slushy over the weekend.

The long term at least gives us a bit more hope for snow with a large low pressure system moving through the region on Tuesday/Wednesday. As with most of the storms this year, both the Euro and GFS models are keeping it further south along the Iowa-Minnesota border at this time, which is bad in terms of accumulation amounts, but good in terms of precipitation type (all snow). While it’s way too far to exactly pinpoint the lows location for next week, it does seem to have many similarities (as we have had lots this year) to our weekly low pressure system. So with that being said, wouldn’t be too surprised to see 2-4” of snow during next week further north, and if we say on the correct side of the low further south, another 1-2” in central MN and WI.

Enjoy the slush?!

Andrew