KMSP Day 7 Forecast Discussion

This forecast discussion is for the period of 6Z to 6Z spanning the 3rd and 4th of April and for the location of Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Pattern shifts from zonal to a hint of trough over the forecast period as the area experiences some height falls. At the surface, the dominate anticyclone to the east will slowly move away with the upper level action. A surface cyclone, which should develop over the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas will eventually swing up to the northeast, but should keep its weather far to the south of Minnesota. The wind field should continue to be from the south with an eventual swing to the west. Some high level clouds could be in the area from the developing storms to the south, but the day looks seasonal. Without much moisture to work with, highs could easily reach the low 50's. Lows shouldn't dip much below freezing either as a few clouds and the southerly wind component won't allow them to drop much further. Pressure gradient never really amps up, so expect winds to be rather light unless substantial differential heating over areas of snowpack, frozen lakes, or cloud shadows causes some good mixing.

Cianca.