A DECENT START TO APRIL BEFORE ANOTHER MAJOR STORM SYSTEM PASSES THROUGH THE NORTHLAND
March definitely ended like a lion across the Northland. The past two days have seen snow showers, with sleet, freezing rain, and rain mixed in at times. The worst of the conditions came Friday evening and overnight as the center of the low-pressure system that is bringing us the wintry mess, and a severe weather outbreak to millions south of us, allowed winds to gust over 40 mph. The good news is that the associated heavy snow showers with this part of the storm didn't impact most of the region. Northwest Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula were hit the hardest, but most only saw a couple inches.
As the calendar shifts from March to April, we begin the new month with no tricks as a high-pressure system will provide abundant sunshine and light winds. Temperatures will be in the 30s for highs, so a seasonally cool day is expected. The good news is that temperatures warm back to the 40s for highs for Sunday and Monday. That is due to a low-pressure system funneling in the warmer air as it passes to our north in Canada. It will be close enough to increase cloud cover, but any precipitation will likely be light showers or rain, snow, and drizzle Sunday morning.
The main focus for the Northland's weather forecast over the next seven days remains a strong low-pressure system that continues to look likely to pass through the western Great Lakes Tuesday and Wednesday. Models remain in agreement that there could be a wide swath of snowfall on the north and west side of this system, with rain and mixed precipitation to the east and south. As of Friday afternoon, the models suggest the Northland will see mostly snow, but a shift to the north would increase the chances for mixed precipitation. No matter what, expect temperatures in the 30s and winds to become strong once again.
We will end the next work/school week on a calmer note with a high-pressure system providing some sunshine. Temperatures will remain seasonally cool with highs in the 30s as we approach the Easter holiday.
Chief Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg
