Minnesota – Frost clings to windshields and sidewalks early this morning as winter settles into the Twin Cities with a familiar December pattern: cold nights, slightly milder afternoons, and slick pavement risks that build quickly after sunset. Pavement remains dry for now, but repeated freeze–thaw cycles are already setting the stage for black ice concerns as holiday traffic ramps up.
According to the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen, temperatures hover near 30 degrees today under mostly sunny skies, then dip into the lower 20s tonight as clouds slowly increase. That cold start matters. Even light moisture later this week could refreeze quickly, especially on untreated roads and ramps around Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Midweek conditions trend quieter but gray. Highs climb into the mid-30s Wednesday and Christmas Day, keeping snow off the table for now. Southeast winds pick up slightly, and cloud cover thickens, leaving roads damp and shaded areas slow to dry. By Thursday night into Friday, a chance for rain develops with lows near freezing. That timing is critical for drivers heading out after Christmas, when wet pavement could turn slick quickly once temperatures slip.
Metro drivers should stay alert on I-94, I-35W, and Highway 52, where bridges cool fastest. For now, travel remains manageable, but winter habits matter again: slow down early, leave extra space, and watch for sudden glare ice after dark.
Looking ahead, winter keeps a light grip on the region into the weekend, with temperatures staying seasonable but unstable enough for spotty slick travel.
Five-Day Outlook for Minneapolis–St. Paul
- Today: Mostly sunny, high near 30.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 35.
- Christmas Day: Cloudy, high near 35.
- Friday: Cloudy, high near 38, rain possible.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high near 38, slight rain chance.
