Douglas: An unusually mild and quiet early October

After low 80s Saturday, weather looks good for Sunday’s Twin Cities Marathon — 50s and gusty with sunshine.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
October 4, 2024 at 8:45PM

Hey, what’s up? Doing anything fun? Any suggestions for what I can do to occupy my time in the coming weeks? This is like San Diego with lakes. Every day is the same. BORING.

I am considering skydiving, spelunking and extreme para­sailing — but will probably settle on doomscrolling and cheering on the Vikings until they break my heart.

It’s awfully quiet out there for early October, with summer warmth spilling deep into autumn. Again.

The first freeze (32 degrees F) at MSP usually comes on Oct. 11, but this year it may be two weeks late. We are locked into a sunny, dry, unusually mild pattern for most of October. November may be a rude awakening; we’ll see.

After low 80s Saturday we cool off Sunday as winds gust to 35 mph. All these swings in temperature will whip up strong winds in the coming weeks, drying out our soil even faster. Moderate drought is creeping back into the state. Stating the obvious, we need rain.

The weather looks good for Sunday’s Twin Cities Marathon — 50s and gusty with sunshine. Could be worse.

about the writer

about the writer

Paul Douglas

Columnist

Paul Douglas is a nationally-respected meteorologist, with 40 years of broadcast television and radio experience. He provides daily print and online weather services for the Star Tribune.

See More

More from Weather