Minneapolis, Minnesota – A sharp shift toward winter conditions is underway across the Twin Cities as gusty winds sweep through today, followed by falling temperatures, bitter cold, and accumulating snow later this week.
Tuesday starts warm by January standards, with highs reaching the upper 40s to near 50 degrees across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding suburbs. That warmth will not last long. A strong cold front is moving through the region this afternoon, bringing wind gusts between 30 and 40 mph. As winds increase, temperatures will begin to fall steadily through the afternoon and evening.
According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, temperatures are expected to drop into the teens by tonight, signaling the arrival of a much colder air mass. The combination of falling temperatures and strong winds will make it feel significantly colder, especially during the evening commute.
Wednesday will be noticeably colder, with highs only in the mid-teens to near 20 degrees. Morning lows will dip into the single digits and teens, and lingering breezes will keep wind chills well below the actual air temperature. While Wednesday looks mostly dry, winter weather concerns ramp up again heading into Thursday.
Light snow is expected to develop Thursday and continue into Friday. Forecast confidence is growing that the Twin Cities could see between 2 and 4 inches of snow by the time the system moves out. While this does not appear to be a major winter storm, even modest snowfall combined with cold temperatures could lead to slick roads and slower travel.
Thursday highs will range from the mid-20s to mid-30s before cooling further Friday, when highs settle into the 20s. Overnight lows late week will fall into the single digits, reinforcing the return to midwinter conditions.
By the weekend, very cold and blustery weather is expected, with highs only in the single digits to teens and lows dipping below zero in some areas. Wind chills may become dangerously cold at times.
Residents are urged to prepare now for the colder stretch by dressing in layers, securing loose items ahead of today’s winds, and planning for winter travel later this week. While today’s warmth may feel welcome, true January weather is settling in quickly across the Twin Cities.
