FXUS63 KMPX 211901 AFDMPX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 201 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Record high temperatures today, cooler Sunday - No major weather systems expected over the next 7 days. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1226 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 We're well on our way to record high temperatures this afternoon, with most locations already seeing temperatures in the 70s, except over the snowpack of southeast MN & western WI where they still remain warm in the low to mid 60s. temperatures are expected to top out in the mid to upper 70s everywhere without snow in the ground, & likely will reach 80 across southwest Minnesota where westerly winds will be down- sloping off of the Buffalo Ridge. A cold front does move through this evening however, quickly cooling temepratures into the 50s & 40s this evening & eventually into the 30s by morning. Scattered rain showers are expected behind the frontal passage during the overnight hours but dry air near the surface will keep any rainfall amounts below 0.1" Temperatures will be much cooler behind the front on Sunday, although still close to normal, with daytime highs in the low to mid 40s expected. Temepratures quickly return to above-normal values through midweek though, as strong ridging builds back over the southwest & central CONUS & ensemble guidance suggests temperature anomalies of 10-15 degrees above normal. This ridging pushes the jet stream well north of our area, along with the track of any storm systems, with an area of low pressure skirting along the US-Canada border later in the week the only real upcoming weather system of note. Cooler temperatures do arrive behind this system & into next weekend, but will still feel more spring-like as opposed to winter-like. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1227 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 Winds continue to be the main aviation impact today. Winds are generally out of the west at TAF issuance time and will shift to the north through the afternoon and into the evening. Gusts into the 20 to 25 knot range will continue into the evening before calming some in the morning. A light round of rain showers could pass through this evening into early tonight. Low VFR to high MVFR if these showers occur. MVFR ceilings will move in after this chance of rain and persist into the morning hours. KMSP...No additional concerns. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ MON...VFR. Wind S 5-10 kts. TUE...VFR. Wind SE 5-15 kts. WED...VFR. S Chc -RA/MVFR. Wind S 5-15 kts. && .CLIMATE... Issued at 1227 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 With the warmest temperatures so far this year forecast today here are the comparisons between record highs and our forecast highs for our primary climate sites. Site | Forecast High | Record High ----------------------------------- MSP | 79 | 76 (1938) STC | 73 | 75 (1911) EAU | 74 | 77 (1911) && .MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...ETA AVIATION...NDC CLIMATE...NDC