More late season snow flurries possible today

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: April 28, 2008 - 11:47 AM

Should flurries fall in the Twin Cities today as expected, it will mark the first time in nearly a century that there has been snow four consecutive days this late in the spring season.

On Sunday, a trace of snow was reported at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and this morning a band of flurries is inching its way into the Twin Cities. It has not snowed four days in a row in the Twin Cities this late in the season since 1909.

No accumulation is expected today.

For much of the winter, Minnesota experienced a snow drought with many locations receiving below-average snowfall during meteorological winter of December through February. But April snowstorms, such as last weekend's storm, which brought more than a foot of snow to portions of Minnesota, have pushed totals close to or above normal.

In Fergus Falls, about 30.2 inches of snow has piled up just this month, according to the Minnesota State Climatology office. That shattered the previous April record of 10.8 inches that had stood since 1950, and brought this season's total to 59.3 inches. The 30-year average is 45 inches.

So far 23.5 inches has fallen in International Falls, Minn., this month, bringing the season total there to 95.5 inches. That's far above the average of 69.4 inches, the National Weather Service said.

With the 10.9 inches of snow this month, St. Cloud has recorded 52.2 inches of snow for the season, 5 inches above normal. Duluth's 79.5 inches is 3 inches below average, while the Twin Cities, which has been spared much of the month's heavy snow, has recorded 1.6 inches this month and 44.9 inches for the season. That's 10.9 inches below the yearly average, the Weather Service said.

Melting snow and recent rains have led to minor flooding in parts of Minnesota. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the northeastern Minnesota town of Floodwood as the Floodwood River has risen over its banks. Water has been reported in the backyards of some homes along the river. Minor flooding will continue today along the Mississippi River near Aitkin, Minn., and along the Prairie River near Taconite in northeastern Minnesota, the Weather Service said.

A flood advisory is in effect today for east central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, the Weather Service said.

The threat of flurries this morning should pass by midday. After a chilly high of 45 degrees today and a low of 30 degrees tonight, a slight warming trend will begin Tuesday as clouds move out. Mostly sunny conditions are expected Tuesday with a high of 56 degrees, followed by more sun on Wednesday with a high of 62 degrees and 60 in Thursday.

More storms and rain are expected late Thursday and into the weekend with highs in the 50s Friday through Sunday.

Recent Local + Metro stories

About 300 Frontier jobs moving to Milwaukee - April 28, 2008

About 300 Frontier jobs moving to Milwaukee - About 300 Frontier Airlines jobs are being moved to Milwaukee by the airline's new owner, Republic Airways. More