Lea Zmurko: Winds are at full force
The warm-up is nearing its end as chilly conditions move in.
With a crossing cold front and a clipper situated slightly to our north, there is a 20% chance for snow squalls in the mid-morning to early afternoon across northern MN. The squalls will be short lived period of reduced visibility in white out conditions as snow flurries are blown about.

It will be a very gusty Friday as winds continue to strengthen across the region and gusts behind the incoming cold front could likely exceed 35 to 45 mph. The northwest flow will continue to bring in the chilling air that will be arriving overnight, there is a strong chance for a wind advisory to go into effect especially along the Lake Shore. Wind chills will also be dropping extremely low throughout this cold snap and the temperatures could range from -30 to -45 degrees F a Cold Weather Advisory is likely needed starting for tonight.
We will have to wait to Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning to see temperatures climb back up above 0 F. Snow still is looking light but there will be chances for some flurries by the end of next week after the bitter cold.
Today
A chance of flurries before 10am, then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 10am and 3pm. Patchy blowing snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 32 by noon, then falling to around 23 during the remainder of the day. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
A slight chance of snow showers before 7pm, then a chance of flurries between 7pm and 8pm. Patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -3. Windy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday
Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 1. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday
Partly sunny and cold, with a high near -9. Blustery, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
M.L.King Day
Partly sunny and cold, with a high near -10. Blustery, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near -3. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday
A chance of flurries with a slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 14. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday
A chance of flurries with a slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 17. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.