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Snowfall Outlook
A storm system will impact the northern part of the state with some +6" tallies through Sunday. Strong winds could create reduced visibilities through the day.
Weather Outlook Through AM Monday
Here's the weather outlook through AM Monday. The storm system will bring areas of heavy snow to parts of northern Minnesota through the day Sunday. Colder and quieter weather will be in place on Monday.
Drought Update For Minnesota
According to the US Drought Monitor, nearly 1% of the state is still considered to be in an extreme drought (in red across northern Minnesota), which is down from nearly 37% from 3 months ago. There has been a slight improvement in Severe Drought, which is at 27%, down from 65% 3 months ago. Nearly 49% of the state is still under a Moderate Drought, which includes much of the Twin Cities Metro.
Precipitation Departure From Average Since January 1st
Here's a look at the precipitation departure from average since January 1st and note that most locations are still several inches below average. The Twin Cities The metro is still -6.39" below average since January 1st, which is the 51st driest January 1st - December 4th on record.
Weather Outlook For Sunday
High temps across the region on Sunday will still be above average for the early part of December, but will be much colder by Monday, so enjoy!
Extended Temperature Outlook For Minneapolis
High temperatures on Sunday will still be well above average on Sunday, but will be MUCH colder by Monday and Tuesday behind the storm system.
Extended Weather Outlook For Minneapolis
The weather outlook through the first weekend of December shows temperatures MUCH cooler on Monday with highs well below average. Readings will them warm to near normal levels later in the week.
Extended Temperature Outlook For Minneapolis
According to the ECMWF & GFS extended temperature outlook, temperatures will be well below average early in the week, but will warm to near average levels later in the week.
8 to 14 Day Temperature Outlook
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook shows well above average temperatures continuing across much of the nation and especially the eastern two-thirds of the nation.
8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, dry weather will be in place across much of the eastern two-thirds of the nation.
A Real Polar Punch Arrives Monday
By Paul Douglas
More than ever I'm looking for things that make me laugh. On Friday a WCCO Radio listener texted" Paul, I am so happy that up until now winter weather appears to be stuck in a shipping container off the coast of California." That explains it.
Minnesota has experienced minor slaps of chilly air, but Monday's Nanook weather may bring back fond memories of February. The arrival of this (brief) polar punch spins up a storm capable of a couple inches of "snow" over central Minnesota today, with 3-6" possible Bemidji to Duluth. Respectable, but not too rough on the highways. Metro roads remain wet today with highs approaching 40, but 40 mph wind gusts will trigger blowing/drifting snow tonight into Monday, mainly north of MSP.
Monday will be nippy with highs in the teens and a chill factor below zero, in spite of bright sunshine.
A slippery coating of snow arrives Tuesday, with a couple inches of slush Thursday.
Daytime highs top 32F later this week into next week. Here, we call that welcome relief.
Extended Forecast
SUNDAY: MSP mix. Few inches north. Winds: W 15-25. High: 40.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Light snow early & windy. Winds: NW 15-35. Low: 9.
MONDAY: Bitter sunshine. WC near 0F. Winds: NW 15-30. Wake-up: 11. High: 14.
TUESDAY: Light snow, coating to 2". Winds: SE7-12. Wake-up: 10. High: 20.
WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny, better travel. Winds: SE 8-13. Wake-up: 14. High: 28.
THURSDAY: Couple inches of slush? Winds: W 10-20. Wake-up: 26 High: 36.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Winds: S 5-10. Wake-up: 24. High: 33.
SATURDAY: Some sun, no drama. Winds: NW 7-12. Wake-up: 19. High: 29.
This Day in Weather History
December 5th
2001: An unseasonably warm December day occurs, with a high of 63 degrees at the Twin Cities. Summer-like thunderstorms developed and dropped quarter-sized hail at the Eyota Post Office in Olmsted County.
1979: Mild air moves in to Minnesota, with highs of 52 at St. Cloud and 54 at Browns Valley.
1928: Canby receives three inches of snow or greater for the third consecutive day.
Average High/Low for Minneapolis
December 5th
Average High: 30F (Record: 63F set in 2001)
Average Low: 16F (Record: -14F set in 1873)
Record Rainfall: 0.81" set in 1909
Record Snowfall: 7.0" set in 1909
Sunrise/Sunset Times for Minneapolis
December 5th
Sunrise: 7:35am
Sunset: 4:32pm
Hours of Daylight: ~8 hours & 56 minutes
Daylight LOST since yesterday: ~ 1 minute & 15 seconds
Daylight LOST since Summer Solstice (June 20th): ~6 Hour & 54 Minutes
Moon Phase for December 5th at Midnight
1.0 Days Since New Moon
National High Temps Sunday
The weather outlook on Sunday cooler temps moving into the northern tier of the nation. However, warmer than average temperatures will be in place across the southern US.
National Weather Outlook
The weather outlook through early next week shows more active weather in place with heavy snow across the northern tier of the nation and heavy rains across the Ohio Valley. Meanwhile, another storm system will impact the Western US with areas of rain and snow
Extended Precipitation Outlook
According to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center, heavier precipitation will be found in the Pacific Northwest. There will also be another swath of heavier precipitation from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast.
Extended Snowfall Potential
Here's the extended snowfall potential through next week, which shows heavier snow potential across the northern tier of the nation. The heaviest will be found across the Rockies and across the Great Lakes Region.
Climate Stories
"5 Graphs That Show the World Is in the Midst of a Renewable Energy Revolution"
"A new IEA report shows renewables are expected to account for 95% of the increase in global power capacity through 2026. Here's what else you need to know. Sure, things may look pretty grim when it comes to the climate. But new data and forecasts from the International Energy Agency suggest we're at least not going backward—and renewable energy growth is set to accelerate. Am IEA report released Wednesday found 2021 is on track to set a record for new renewable energy capacity additions. The estimated 290 gigawatts of renewable capacity the IEA expects will be commissioned will far surpass the previous record set just last year. The report's forecast for the next five years suggests renewable energy capacity will ramp up even further over the next half-decade. Renewable energy is expected to account for 95% of the increase in global power capacity through 2026, with solar playing an outsized role. Aggressive new climate goals and renewed government interest in climate policy mean the amount of renewable capacity added over the next five years could be 50% higher than that added from 2015 to 2020."
"It Hasn't Snowed In Denver Yet This Winter (Or Fall)"
"Yes, that's a first for the Colorado capital since record-keeping began. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas persistent megadrought. For the first time since record-keeping began in 1882, it has yet to snow in Denver this season. That's the first time ever the city has had a snowless meteorological fall, a term referring to the three-month span from September through November, which ended Tuesday. And at 224 consecutive snowless days (and counting), Denver looks poised to potentially set another record for consecutive days without measurable snowfall (more than one-tenth of an inch). That record, 235 consecutive days, was set in 1887. Not only has it not snowed, it's been downright hot, with highs in the 70s, which for November and December represents temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above normal. Similar patterns are playing out this week across the central and western U.S."
See more from Huffington Post HERE:
"A massive snowstorm in Denmark stranded 30 people at an Ikea — so they had an impromptu sleepover"
"In northern Denmark, an Ikea showroom turned into a vast bedroom. Six customers and about two dozen employees were stranded by a snowstorm and spent the night in the store, sleeping in the beds that are usually on show. Up to 12 inches of snow fell, trapping the customers and employees when the department store in Aalborg closed on Wednesday evening. "We slept in the furniture exhibitions and our showroom on the first floor, where we have beds, mattresses, and sofa beds," store manager Peter Elmose told the Ekstra Bladet tabloid. People could "pick the exact bed they always have wanted to try."
