Slower, Grayer Day

Slower, Grayer Day

Weather Headlines

* Much cooler today with a spritz/sprinkle or light rain shower, nothing major... Snow along MN's North Shore - Aren't we done with winter?
* Clouds, sprinkles may linger much of Monday due to a weak storm aloft.
* More sun Tuesday and Wednesday as temperatures mellow.
* GFS computer model hinting at temperatures near 80 (!) by next Friday.
* 2009 MN Walleye Fishing Opener just under 3 weeks away!


Todd's Column

Hey there and happy Sunday everyone, I am meteorologist Todd Nelson (Meteorologist at WeatherNation) - filling in for Paul Douglas while he's away in Las Vegas, NV - soaking up the sunshine! To be honest, he's actually working! He's getting ready for the big NAB conference, which stars tomorrow and lasts through Thursday:

http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Sure, it might be all hunky dory down there, but take a look at the Las Vegas forecast for the upcoming week:

!!HOT!!
Monday: Sunny High: 90
Tuesday: Sunny High: 93
Wednesday: Sunny High: 95
Thursday: Sunny High: 91
!!HOT!!

There will be some spots in the southwest that crack the triple digit marker! Record high temperatures will likely be set up and down the west coast starting today! Phoenix Arizona's high temperature for Tuesday is 101°!!

Here's the latest weather set up there:
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr/pns/2009/April/Brief2.php

In the meantime - we'll manage to stay under a veil of slate gray skies today, which will give way to a periodic spritz or sprinkle, nothing major! The best chance for accumulating rain (0.10 to 0.20") will be across the southeastern part of the state. Clouds will linger in the wake of this slow moving low pressure system on Monday. Again, periodic showers will be possible, but most will stay cool and dry with a breezy northwesterly wind. Our fate changes, though, as the sky brightens Tuesday morning before heading to work or school! Temperatures will moderate - you'll notice people staring a little more out the windows at the office on Tuesday/dazed looks. By Wednesday and Thursday it'll be hard to concentrate as the mercury tops 70° again under mostly sunny skies and by Friday (with a threat of hitting 80° in the metro) you'll find many people won't come back from lunch - the office a little more quiet by 2-3 in the afternoon than you remembered just a few short hours ago!

The weather looks wonderful by the middle and end of next week, though, weather models are hinting at a possible shower/T-storm chance late next week into the weekend. The extended forecast is looking slightly wetter for the weekend, but that's great news for farmers and gardeners... We need some rain! The Minneapolis Airport is nearly 1.50" behind normal precipitation since January 1st.

Lakes are beginning to thaw and open up in central and northern Minnesota - most lakes around the southern and east central part of the state already open! - check here for the latest conditions/status:

http://climate.umn.edu/doc/ice_out/ice_out_status_09.htm

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html

Keep in mind that the water temperature is still VERY COLD!! If you fall in, hypothermia could set in quickly. Have those life jackets and PFD's handy at all times while skipping around the lake. Good news - the 2009 Walleye Fishing Opener is a little under 3 weeks away (May 9th)!! We're almost there!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!