SPRING BOUNCE, WITH A BREEZE...

A deep low pressure passing along the Canadian border put a real bounce in our temperatures Monday. Highs west of the Mississippi reached into the 70s thanks to a south wind that gusted more than 40 mph. These were readings around 3:00 PM. Check out the 80s that soared into WC Minnesota!

This was a dramatic change from Sunday with temperatures as much as 25 degrees warmer than 24 hours earlier. I do see an abrupt end to this spring party and it's readily apparent on the departures below. While we were up 25 degrees, out in Montana readings were as much as 48.7 degrees colder. That's never a good sign.

The spoiler that brings the warmth to an end is a cold front that clears all of my area by Tuesday afternoon. Outside of a few sprinkles, this will be a dry frontal passage but one that brings big temperature implications. Watch as readings crash in this animation that runs from Monday afternoons warmth, to 7:00am Wednesday when readings are below freezing.

Wednesday's lows will be far different than the 50s we are seeing this morning.

What will really amplify the chill is the winds which will get wind chills into the teens in my NW counties, low 20s elsewhere.

Again, you can see the 24 hour change in lows Wednesday which are over 20 degrees colder.

Okay, enough of the bad news. After two very brisk days in the 40s Wednesday and Thursday, return flow sets in on Friday and another dramatic rise in temperatures is anticipated for Easter weekend. The EURO is most bullish on the warm-up and shows 4 consecutive days in the 70s Saturday through Tuesday of next week.

Look at the blow torch next Monday that encompasses most of the nation. Much of the central Midwest is 15-25 degrees above normal. I will mention that the GFS is cooler and cuts the warmth off a couple days sooner. I can't rule that possibility out but I currently am in the camp of the warmer EURO, especially through next Tuesday.

Here's the upper level flow at 500mb that gets the job done.

Notice too how moisture (dew points) increases from the teens in the cold air Thursday to the mid 50s next Monday and Tuesday. That would set the table for our next precipitation chance next week. However, until then we remain high and dry and should end up with a run of at least 9 days without rain. That's tough to do this time of year.

It will also be interesting to see how the pattern evolves next week with the warmth and moisture potentially bringing the instability necessary for thunderstorms. We are getting into that time of year when they can get rambunctious.

For now though, its back to the coats for a couple days as the door to Canada has opened. Thankfully, it's only temporary. Roll weather...TS