Spring Ahead

Spring Ahead
By Todd Nelson

The weather seems to be about as groggy as I feel today with that dreaded time change... Ugh! It always seems harder to 'spring' ahead than it does to 'fall' back, doesn't it? Not sure I'm a big fan of losing an hour, especially when it seems like there isn't enough time to get everything done as it is. The only nice thing about the change is that our sunsets will be one hour later now!

March is a big transition month for us. Not only do we see a significant increase in the amount of sunlight we get per day, but the strength of the sun increases dramatically too. This improvement helps to promote warming, which helps to eat away at our snowpack. Since 2003, the average date when the snow depth reached zero officially at the MSP Airport in spring was March 31st. Earliest was last year on March 7th and the latest was in 2008 on April 27.

Sunday's rain put a big dent in our current snow pack, which topped out at 13" officially last Wednesday. I wouldn't doubt it if by the end of the week we start seeing a few more brown spots on area lawns as snow continues to melt.

In the meantime, we'll have to keep puddle jumping, hope your feet stay dry! -Todd Nelson

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Todd's Conservation MN Outlook for the Twin Cities and all of Minnesota:

SUNDAY: Waking up to a little slush? Sidewalks could be a little icy too. Windy, cooler. Few flurries. High: 30 Winds: North 10-20

SUNDAY NIGHT: A few lingering light snow showers possible, mainly south and east. Low: 19

MONDAY: Partly sunny and brisk. Wake-up: High: 31

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, a cool wind with a flake or two possible. Wake-up: 19. High: 31

WEDNESDAY: Clipper, light mix? Wake-up: 18. High: 32

THURSDAY: AM shower, turning milder. Wake-up: 20. High: near 36

FRIDAY: Mix of clouds and sun. Wake-up: 24. High: 37.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny with a few sprinkles north? Low: 28. High: 39

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A Bit Puddly

Thanks to my sister Michelle Musil for the picture below who noted a large puddle on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to an early March 'tournament' snowstorm and some recent mild weather/rain... puddles are showing up in neighborhoods near you! The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport had a maximum snow depth on March 6th of 13" -- Midday Friday, that snow depth had dropped to 11" -- thanks to 0.40" of rain Friday night/AM Saturday, it had dropped to 8"
 

Flood Reports

With the recent heavy rains and rapid snow melt, there were a number of standing water reports. A few more 'substantial' reports came in from the St. Peter/Mankato area. Portions of hwy 169 near St. Peter were closed due to a mud slide.

 

 

Precipitation Today

 

Sunday's precipiation across southern Minnesota was on the order of 0.50" to 0.75" of an inch and was substantial enough to cause some minor flooding across the region.

 

 

 

Snowfall Reports

 

Unfortunately, this storm wasn't as cut and dry as the system earlier this week. There was a wintry mix across parts of the region including some freezing rain. There were also some shovelable snowfall reports that came in across western and northern Minnesota. The heaviest snow 7" in northcentral part of the state.

 

 

Speaking of Rain...

 

How about that rain in Phoenix on Friday? 0.84" on Friday in Phoenix becomes a new record for the day. There were some spots that picked up over 1"

 

 

 

 

More Snow on the Way

 

The same storm that brought heavy rain to parts of the Southwest/Midwest and heavy snow to parts of the Front Range of the Rockies will also bring heavy snow to parts of Wisconsin Sunday-Monday

 

 

 

U.S. Snowfall Next 3 Days

 

Here's a look at the U.S. Snowfall over the next 3 days.

 

 

 

3 Day Precipitation

 

NOAA's HPC 3 day precipitation forecast suggest several rounds of heavier rainfall along the Gulf Coast States as the storm system chugs east. A few vigorous thunderstorm may be possible Sunday, but it won't be widespread severe.

 

 

Thanks for checking in, have a great rest of your weekend!

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @TNelsonWNTV