The Minnesota Forecaster

Will Mid-March Deliver? (Plus time for a fresh thread)

2026-03-10T18:17:00.006-05:00

Wow, it's been two months since the weather seemed worth of a post. Not sure it's worthy now, but it might be — and a change of scenery is always good. With that, let's look at mid-March snow prospects.

White Thursday/Friday ahead?

2026-01-12T09:07:00.004-06:00

There's a threat of snow for Thursday/Friday, with the NWS saying, "Unsettled Thursday and Friday, with light snow, though it only looks to amount to up to 4 inches of accumulation." Of course most Minnesota Forecaster devotees are hoping for more. Cue the discussion.

Late week/weekend snowstorm?

2026-01-04T11:44:00.001-06:00

It's a long way off, but snow-loving eyes are poring over maps for the late week timeframe. Here's Dr. Novak's very early assessment.

More Snow Incoming?

2025-12-26T14:39:00.006-06:00

A "rapidly changing" scenario, according to Dr. Tom Novak, has resulted in the hint of a winter storm late in the weekend. What shall come to pass?

Beep Beep, Clipper Train Coming Through

2025-12-05T09:17:00.001-06:00

A series of clippers are in line for Minnesota. Will the Twin Cities get in on the action?

Where Art Thou Snow?

2025-11-22T10:26:00.002-06:00

Snow is late to the party this year. Legitimate cold weather appears on the horizon, but will it be accompanied by snow? Whatcha think?

In like a lion?

2025-03-04T17:23:00.002-06:00

We could be in line for a big snow beginning today. Is March going to start off with a blizzard for the Twin Cities?

Sorry I was late on this thread. Given the temperatures I had just given up on snow. I should not have got complacent!

A bit of snow for Valentine’s day?

2025-02-12T21:48:00.002-06:00

Hope everyone has been well! It has been tough this winter and last for snow lovers, but looks like we may have a shovel-able amount Friday.

From the NWS:

Friday travel or Valentine's Day dinner plans? Perhaps this is a forecast you will not love! Confidence is increasing in accumulating snow for communities along and east of I-35 Friday evening. 2"+ accumulations are most likely in western Wisconsin. Little in the way of snow accumulation expected across western Minnesota.

Will February Offer Hope for Snow-Starved Winter Lovers?

2025-02-01T12:16:00.001-06:00

Solidly in the midst of another winter with minimal snow, snow-lovers turned to February for hope of a turnaround. Will it happen?

Real Snow for Thursday?

2024-12-16T10:02:00.004-06:00

The eyes of snow lovers are focused on Thursday, when a possibly significant snow may fall. Could this be the snow that sticks around for a certain notable day?

Trick or Treat

2024-10-30T13:03:00.000-05:00

The "s word" is back in the forecast, though it seems unlikely to amount to any significance. But for snow lovers who suffered through last winter, it offers hope.

Don't Look Now But....

2024-03-18T15:16:00.004-05:00

Is it ("it" being winter) better late than never? It's looking like snow fortunes are about to change. Are you happy about this or do you just want to get on with spring? What say you?

Is it Time?

2024-01-10T22:01:00.003-06:00

Wow, nearly half the "winter" is gone since the last post. Seems there's some talk that a late-week storm could materialize into something interesting. What are your thoughts?

Meanwhile, if you're wondering where the Minnesota snow has been, look to the far southwest. This has been the landscape for the last week in the foothills outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. We're trying to send it Minnesota's way.

The Hunt for Snow

2023-11-28T13:27:00.002-06:00

As we near December, and with temps closer to what one would expect for the season, the hunt for significant snow is on. When might that happen?

First snow of 23-24 season?

2023-10-26T16:55:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone had a great spring and summer!

Looks like the first flakes are in the forecast, so its time to fire up the blog again. The national weather service says we may see a flurry Saturday with other scattered chances as we fall into a cool pattern from the weekend to later next week.

Temper the expectations though as the NWS goes on to say: “bottom line, first snowfall for southern Minnesota
is looking likely, but little to no accumulation expected.”

Even if this is just a few flurries, it seemed like a good chance to let people check in after the many months away. Welcome back and hopefully we have a snowy winter ahead!

Snow After 80s?

2023-04-14T19:47:00.004-05:00

A shocking downturn in the summer-like warmth is coming. Will it bring any late, late-season snow?

Late Week Slop to Add to Snow Tally?

2023-03-29T09:30:00.002-05:00

In a winter that keeps giving, more white gold may fall from the sky late this week. Your thoughts?

Late-week storm to help MSP move up the snowfall ranks?

2023-03-12T21:46:00.003-05:00

As one commenter aptly put it, the chase to land a new snowfall record at MSP is akin to a football team trailing by 10 late in the fourth quarter (and there are no XFL rules). The team would appear to need a touchdown vs. a few field goals. Might a late-week storm put the record more within reach — or possibly take the prize? We shall see....

Snow Record Chase Continuing Later This Week?

2023-03-06T13:15:00.003-06:00

The bounty of the season may continue — in some abundance — later this week. Track it here.

Snow to the North

2023-03-04T14:05:00.002-06:00

There is a decent system setting up to the north that the NWS gives a 20% chance of impacting the metro.

There are no watches yet anywhere near the metro but it seemed worth a thread.

Enjoy!

Snowstorm Debrief

2023-02-23T11:16:00.003-06:00

The much-anticipated snowstorm is ending. With all the twists and turns, how do you think forecasters did? And what other thoughts do you have about the storm?

It’s a weird feeling to be a former Minnesotan/snow lover closely watching a storm take place in such a familiar place that’s 1,574 miles away (as the southwestern jetstream flies) from where I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico (where the storm created winds gusting to 63 mph, visibility down to one mile in dust and snow squalls that just make for a pretty picture).

Here are some random thoughts and observations:

Except for actually shoveling snow and constantly dabbing at a runny nose, it’s amazing how much you can experience a snowstorm virtually — thanks to news stories, pictures from friends, traffic cameras, etc.
As one commenter suggested, it seems to make more sense to see this storm as two separate storms given the amount of time between. If one views it that way, it seems that there was a middling storm (4”) followed by clean-up, followed by a legitimately heavy, but not blockbuster, snow.
Taken literally, the forecasts seemed generally quite accurate — except for the “heavy at times wording.” From my review of MSP observations, there was never an official report of “heavy snow.” However, I sensed that the net impact didn’t quite measure up to the message that was communicated by the NWS.
Reports from rural areas notwithstanding, the storm didn’t seem to be as paralyzing as one might expect for the total accumulation (again why it seems more appropriate to see this as two storms) nor truly historical.
As one who lived through the Halloween blizzard, I was secretly hoping that this didn’t end up as a record setter. (I want to keep the glory.)
Patience is always a virtue, but especially so when waiting to see if a snowstorm fully flowers.
Model data should be consumed with a pound of Morton salt.

But all in all, it was a good show!

All Eyes on Next Week

2023-02-17T19:44:00.003-06:00

Model consensus is amazingly high for large winter system that could strike midweek. Will it materialize as forecast?

Rain and Snow later this week

2023-02-11T17:37:00.003-06:00

NWS forecasts a couple of systems moving through beginning Valentine’s day and bringing some mixture of snow and rain, with the chance for some accumulations.

Should be one to keep us guessing!

Increasing chances for snow Wednesday Evening to Thursday

2023-01-16T08:48:00.001-06:00

Nothing like a Viking playoff loss and a healthy shot of rain to kick off January!

Hopefully we can turn around this bad luck with a snow system that is aiming for Southern MN but may creep up to toss a few inches on the metro.

So will we get that northern shift or watch it pass below the metro?

Thread for a quiet period

2023-01-07T16:42:00.003-06:00

Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion leading up to the last storm. It’s been a fun winter of overachieving systems and I have enjoyed reading your commentary.

It looks like nothing is on tap over the next week or so, but I wanted to have a new thread up for anyone to discuss any potential upcoming systems.

I will start a new thread once we see a storm worth discussing!