Sunny And Cool Friday - 30s This Weekend!

After we saw a bit more snow across southern Minnesota on Thursday, Friday features high pressure across the region with mainly sunny skies. Temperatures will start off the day in the low single digits, climbing into the mid-teens for highs. However, with that northwest wind up to 10 mph, it'll still feel only like the single digits in the afternoon hours.

Single digits and teens for highs will be common on Friday statewide as we see another day far below average under sunny skies.

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All in all - it's looking like a fairly nice weekend across the Twin Cities. We are expecting mainly sunny skies both days with highs climbing into the 30s. The main downside to Saturday will be the winds - gusting up to 25 mph causing it to feel more like the 20s instead of the 30s during the afternoon.

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We're going to be fairly quiet as we head into the first part of next week as well in the metro (with maybe some shots of snow in northern Minnesota) with an extended stretch of 30s in the forecast through the middle of the week. It appears we could see the chance of precipitation increase late next week here in the metro - it's more than several days out, so things can definitely change.

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Here in the Land of Low Weather Expectations we never take spring for granted. My neighborhood resembles the opening credits of "Fargo - a glistening frozen wasteland of white. The fact that 6 weeks from now buds will sprout, flowers will bloom and lawns will turn green and lush is a miracle that never fails to amaze.

Spring is nowhere in sight, but I do see 30s and a few 40s - 50F not out of the question next Friday.

Big Breaking News: I don't see any subzero low temperatures, at least for the metro. We are turning a corner. Weather models show a more moderate, westerly wind flow returning the next 2-3 weeks. Gut call: March will probably wind up milder than normal, after colder than average temperatures in January and February. No big storms are brewing, but watch for slushy possibilities a week from Saturday.

Winter has been windier than average with consistent cold since Christmas, but few record lows. Statistically we are due for a break, and it's almost here. Hurry up spring. We're ready.

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FRIDAY: Bright sunshine. Wake up 3. High 15. Chance of precipitation 0%. Wind W 8-13 mph.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny and pleasant. Wake up 4. High 33. Chance of precipitation 10%. Wind SW 8-13 mph.

SUNDAY: Intervals of sunshine. Wake up 15. High 32. Chance of precipitation 10%. Wind S 5-10 mph.

MONDAY: Milder with patchy clouds. Wake up 22. High 39. Chance of precipitation 20%. Wind W 10-20 mph.

TUESDAY: Some sun, still quiet. Wake up 23. High 35. Chance of precipitation 10%. Wind W 7-12 mph.

THURSDAY: Clouds and flurries. Wake up 15. High 29. Chance of precipitation 40%. Wind E 8-13 mph.

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Minneapolis Weather Almanac And Sun Data
February 25th

*Length Of Day: 10 hours, 57 minutes, and 35 seconds
*Daylight GAINED Since Yesterday: 3 minutes and 3 seconds

*When Do We See 11 Hours Of Daylight: February 26th (11 hours, 0 minutes, 39 seconds)
*Latest Sunrise Before DST Begins: March 12th (6:30 AM)
*Next Sunset At/After 6:00 PM: March 1st (6:00 PM)

This Day in Weather History
February 25th

1934: A late season cold snap produces a bitterly cold low of -46 at Big Falls.

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The system that has been impacting the central U.S. on Thursday will move into the Northeast with snow and icing threats. Some scattered showers will be possible stretching back into Texas. Out in the Rockies, a few snow showers will be possible.

With the system moving into the Northeast, we will be watching heavy snowfall and some icing as well. Some areas of New England could see up to a foot of snowfall.

Climate Fears on Back Burner as Fuel Costs Soar and Russia Crisis Deepens

More from the New York Times: "It was only three months ago that world leaders met at the Glasgow climate summit and made ambitious pledges to reduce fossil fuel use. The perils of a warming planet are no less calamitous now, but the debate about the critically important transition to renewable energy has taken a back seat to energy security as Russia — Europe's largest energy supplier — threatens to start a major confrontation with the West over Ukraine while oil prices are climbing toward $100 a barrel. For more than a decade, policy discussions in Europe and beyond about cutting back on gas, oil and coal emphasized safety and the environment, at the expense of financial and economic considerations, said Lucia van Geuns, a strategic energy adviser at the Hague Center for Strategic Studies. Now, it's the reverse. "Gas prices became very high, and all of a sudden security of supply and price became the main subject of public debate," she said. The renewed emphasis on energy independence and national security may encourage policymakers to backslide on efforts to decrease the use of fossil fuels that pump deadly greenhouse gases into the atmosphere."

U.S. Postal Service moves ahead with plan to spend billions on gas vehicles

More from CNBC: "The U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday completed a final regulatory requirement for its plan to replace its delivery fleet with thousands of gas-powered vehicles, forging ahead with a decision that's drawn strong opposition from the Biden administration and environmental groups. The Postal Service operates roughly 230,000 vehicles, making up one-third of the country's entire federal fleet. Earlier this month, the EPA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality urged the Postal Service to conduct an updated and more detailed technical analysis and hold a public hearing on its plan. The organization has now completed the evaluation, which puts it on track to deliver the first of the new vehicles next year, which will include at least 5,000 electric-powered vehicles."

Soot is accelerating snow melt in popular parts of Antarctica, a study finds

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Thanks for checking in and have a great day! Don't forget to follow me on Twitter (@dkayserwx) and like me on Facebook (Meteorologist D.J. Kayser).

- D.J. Kayser