textproduct: Twin Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- Snow continues this afternoon with the remaining snowfall south of I-94.

- Cold start to 2026 with below normal temperatures through Saturday, temperatures return to normal Sunday into next week.

- A few more chances for light snow over the next few days with the most likely chance tomorrow morning.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 137 PM CST Wed Dec 31 2025

Current radar and surface observations show the snow from a Willmar to southern Twin Cities to Pepin County, WI line. This will continue to shift south and east with all snow ending by this evening. Snow ratios have been coming in closer to 10:1 rather than the more typical for this time of year 12:1 to 15:1. This lower ratio snow looks likely to continue as saturation in forecast soundings appear to be below the level the DGZ is at. Cold air moves in behind this system and temperatures fall into single digits above/below zero tonight. Thankfully with higher pressure building winds looks to be light. Despite this higher pressure, increasing saturation will not only provide more cloud cover but the next snow chance. This saturation looks deepest along and north of I-94 tomorrow morning into early afternoon. There is little forcing present, but with saturation through the DGZ expected another half inch to inch will be possible along and north of I-94. Chances closer to a half inch along I-94 with the inch more likely to the north.

Continued northwest flow through Saturday will continue the below normal temperatures with highs generally in the teens and lows in the single digits. Normals for this time of the year are highs in the 20s and lows in the low teens. Sunday into next week that is more what we are expecting. As the flow aloft gets more westerly temepratures warm into the 20s and on our warmest days 30s with lows in the teens. Saturday and Monday have some weak 500 mb disturbances and therefore chances for snow. These appear weak, so light snow with trace to maybe a tenth or two expected. So after a busier stretch of weather we will be moving into a period Sunday that should be nice for outdoor winter activities.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 514 PM CST Wed Dec 31 2025

VFR conditions through tonight with light northwest winds before another round of light snow arrives Thursday morning. This looks to be along and north of the I-94 corridor so chances at all terminals except RWF and MKT. This would be similar to what we saw Wednesday morning with a period of around 2SM IFR -SN conditions. I have maintained the TEMPO groups with -SN but may go prevailing with 06Z TAFs if confidence increases. Ceilings will be near MVFR after snow ends Thursday afternoon with cigs between OVC025 to OVC035. Winds remain light and variable through the end of the period.

KMSP... Maintained a TEMPO group but we will keep an eye on this for future updates for potential prevailing upgrade if/when confidence increases.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ FRI...VFR. Wind W 5-10 kts. SAT...VFR. S Chc -SN/MVFR. Wind variable 5 kts. SUN...VFR. Wind S 5-10 kts

MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MN...None. WI...None.