A Memorable Easter Weekend

Weather Headlines

* Average MSP high temperature on Easter: 55 F. Some thermometers may approach 60 Sunday afternoon
* High, thin (cirrus) clouds increase Sunday PM hours, dimming the sun from time to time.
* "Omega Block" pattern in the jet stream (storms on either coast, high pressure sandwiched in-between over the Northern Plains) will keep us dry and seasonably mild into the first half of next week.
* Rain/snow mix possible near Rockford, Illinois, maybe a slushy coating for northern Illinois.
* First chance of rain: next Thursday/Friday.
* Saturday, April 18th: potentially damp start, but skies brighten later in the day. Sunday (April 19) still appears to be the sunnier, drier, nicer day of the 18th/19th April weekend.


Paul's Weather Column

On this sacred holiday weekend when many of us ponder the ultimate sacrifice, hope and resurrection, it's nice to be able to share some very good weather news. Our dry, sunny weather winning streak shows signs of hanging on through the middle of next week. Yes, many towns across Minnesota and western Wisconsin will go 9-10 days in a row without rain. Obviously, if this pattern were to linger for much of April we'd be concerned about a lack of soil moisture going into spring planting season. There is no sign that this current dry spell portends a dry late spring or summer, nothing brewing in the Pacific (strong El Nino or La Nina) which could nudge the jet stream storm track one way or another, increasing the risk of drought, I'm happy to report. This rain-free weather is coming at a VERY good time for flood-plagued residents of the Red River Valley, from Breckenridge northward to Moorhead and Fargo. Snowmelt has been gradual and measured across northern Minnesota and North Dakota, no rain to accelerate the drainage of water into the Red River Valley and that may serve to lessen the risk of a flooding disaster from an imminent second crest. We'll keep you posted on the latest from the NWS Chanhassen office, where hydrologists (river forecasters) are factoring dozens of factors into their flood forecasts.

A nearly stationary bubble of high pressure sunning itself over the Great Lakes will donate another three-star, blue-ribbon, award-winning day on Easter Sunday. The kids will need jackets for morning easter egg hunts & church services - wake - up temperatures in the 30s to near 40. But the sun will feel good, luring the mercury into upper 50s by late afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised to see a 60-degree high somewhere in the metro area. You may notice a few more high, thin cirrus clouds by Sunday afternoon, but not enough to interfere with what should be another terrific spring day.

The next southern storm sideswipes us with some mid and high-level clouds Monday, but sunshine is the rule again much of Tuesday and the first part of Wednesday. This blocking pattern finally breaks down by the middle of next week, a Pacific storm pinwheeling a line of showers into central Minnesota Thursday with a few puddles lingering into Friday. Saturday may start out gray and damp, but right now I don't see significant rain (it may be cooler though, with highs in the 40s to around 50). I still believe next Sunday will be the sunnier, nicer day to loiter in the yard, sweep out the garage, open up the cabin, or just relax on the couch.

Nothing severe, controversial, no "weather" in the strict sense of the word, through the foreseeable, "forecastable" future, which is about 10 days, give or take. After a wild, snowy start Mother Nature is making up for past sins and cutting us a well-deserved break. Is that it for the snow? Great question: I can't rule out ONE more bout of flurries, especially north of Brainerd. I want to believe that's it for ACCUMULATING snow. Would I guarantee it? Nope. All I can officially guarantee is sunrise and sunset. Everything else is a crapshoot.

Happy Easter, have a wondrous Passover. Add weather to a long list of things to be thankful for.