The coldest temperatures of the season are likely this weekend
12Z ECMWF Hi-Res model for 7 AM LT Saturday, October 8, 2022
Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather that graced the region this past weekend because this coming weekend there is a good chance a large portion of Minnesota and Wisconsin will see some of the coldest temperatures of the year and a widespread freeze Saturday morning. There are still a couple more days of temperatures in the mid-60s to low 70s possible to start the week, don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security.
A large area of high pressure over Alberta-Saskatchewan, Canada will help to advect cold, dry air south-southeast across the region around late Wednesday into Thursday from the region's northwest to the southeast. While precipitation chances aren’t great across at least the Twin Cities region, there is a non-zero chance, at this time, for at least a scattered shower or two. As this cold air is advecting into the region, some of the coldest temperatures look to reach Minnesota and Wisconsin by late Friday into early Saturday morning. The first image above is the forecasted actual low temperature for around 7 AM Saturday morning. Widespread temperatures in the low to mid-30s are likely, with some areas even dipping into the 20s in low-lying-rural locations. The urban heat island might protect parts of the Twin Cities Metro from seeing the worst of the cold and keep temperatures more towards the middle 30s. The second image below shows the projected wind chills for around 7 AM Saturday morning, with widespread temperatures in the middle 20s to low 30s across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Across parts Duluth-Northshore to the north-northeast and along the Canadian border, some of the first accumulating snow could be possible from parts of the area. There remains a decent amount of uncertainty in regards to that at this time, but a light dusting could be possible by this weekend up north. Either way, get those winter jackets ready and if you have sensitive plants, plan to cover them or bring them in this weekend.
12Z ECMWF Hi-Res model Wind Chill for 7 AM LT Saturday, October 8, 2022