Justin Liles: Fog, rain, and a little snow

Conditions will continue to warm as we head into our holiday weekend. Southerly flow ahead of rather big low coming out of the Rockies will bring us some precipitation but just not the kind we all want to see. The temperatures will also increase through the weekend and there is a strong possibility we will see some record highs this weekend around the Northland.

Not only will daytime highs be well above average but so will the overnight lows. Overnight lows this weekend will likely be some 20°-25° above average. Thick fog may develop late Friday into Saturday morning. If traveling during this time frame, this will likely be your only threat until Sunday night and Monday.

Rain will return Sunday night into Monday across most of the region, however, Northern St. Louis County, Koochiching, and Northern Itasca County may see 1-2” from evening through 10pm Monday. These areas may see enough snow to coat the ground, so it doesn’t appear like it’s a brown Christmas. More importantly if traveling during this time frame in these areas you may see a few slick spots.

TONIGHT
A slight chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle in the early morning, Cloudy, with a low around 31. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
FRIDAY
A slight chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle before 9am. Patchy fog after 7am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 37. East wind around 5 mph.
SATURDAY
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
SUNDAY
Rain likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
CHRISTMAS DAY
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
TUESDAY
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
WEDNESDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a north wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.