Just outside of Faribault driving south on Interstate 35 toward Owatonna early Sunday afternoon.
WINTER EXITED MINNESOTA this weekend, ushering in a glimpse of spring. And it was glorious—this temporary respite from cold and snow.
Temps rose above forty degrees. The sun shone. Cardinals shrilled. Snow melted into slushy puddles. And I walked across parking lots in a sweater rather than winter coat.
I needed a weekend like this drenched mostly in sunshine, blue streaking through clouds, patches of blue sky pushing away clouds.
To the west of Interstate 35, clouds billow above snow-washed fields.
As my husband and I drove south toward Owatonna early Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t get enough of the sky.
I’m holding onto those images now that the weather is about to change with a strong winter storm predicted for Tuesday. My county of Rice is under a Winter Storm Watch while counties to the south and west are under a Blizzard Watch.
Large swatches of blue sky prevailed to the west of the Interstate.
I knew this weekend’s spring-like weather wouldn’t last.
Blue skies accentuate fighter jets at Owatonna Degner Regional Airport along the Interstate.
It never does here in Minnesota in January.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
It certainly was a nice to feel the warmer temps. This winter has been pretty good so far; I hope that continues and then leaves us quickly in a month or two.
Have you listened to the weather forecast for tomorrow, Dan?
Yep. Get it over with – snow like crazy; then go away 🙂
Yup, one big swoop of snow is sometimes better than an inch here, an inch there.
***drenched mostly in sunshine***
I second that, Audrey!
Mother Nature was teasing us!
How heavenly. xx
I think so, too, because tomorrow’s forecast promises up to a foot of snow in our region.
Oh I recognize those places especially the last picture! We are going to be in the mid 60’s today so I am hoping our driveway finally gets all the snow melted off the sides and we can see all of our grass in our yard again. 🙂 Chris was supposed to fly into Rochester today but canceled that trip because of the impending storm coming that way. I am happy to have him home instead!!! Stay safe up there!
Wise plan to cancel that Rochester trip.
Yep! He looks ahead! 🙂 It is winter in the midwest and unpredictable! Stay warm!
Smart man. We were supposed to have bible study at our house Tuesday evening. But, instead, we had it last Friday to accommodate one of the couples. I’m glad we made the change.
It was glorious! But you are right, we are staring down the barrel of a blizzard. NOA is predicting a foot of snow for the border area -with high winds to blow it around.
You got to expect blizzards in early February – but the ones in March, April and May……. [groan]
Batten down the hatches, Greg, so the wind doesn’t sweep you across the border.
Today is not the day to be in Iowa!
Alright, I’ll stay north of the border.
“batten down the hatches!” You got that right Audrey!
Just think, just south of you all off of I-35, there were clear skies and a temperature of 84 degrees! Come on down and enjoy the tacos!
OK, then, but can we all make it to your house before the storm roars in?
We have to be reminded that it is still winter here in Minnesota no matter how much one want to wish it away. I’m so excited about the upcoming snow fall that is expected although every time I hear a weather report it, it seems to diminish the amount we can expect. I enjoyed your blue sky pictures… seems like the gray skies have won-over the last few weeks. Stay safe my friend, Happy Monday.
Oh, less snow that originally forecast? I’m good with that, although I know you would love feet of the white stuff. Enjoy, my friend.
Weather can make an optimist or pessimist out of people!
That is quite true. It’s amazing how a bit of warmth, sunshine and blue skies can lift spirits.
This is exactly what I love about Minnesota – the variability. Even as I enjoyed this past weekend’s warmth, I still love watching it snow. I still love stepping out into snow that no one else has made tracks in. Even at the beginning of February. I do acknowledge, however, that the Twin Cities is not under a blizzard watch or warning for tomorrow, so I suppose that makes a little bit of a difference!
It’s the shoveling of the snow (although my husband uses a blower if we get a lot) and the icy roads, parking lots and sidewalks that I don’t like.
Great pictures. I enjoyed seeing the sunshine too.
Me, too, because today it’s back to grey skies.
I’m so glad you had a little respite from the cold. It must have been therapeutic to just have that little bit of time in the sunshine, even if there wasn’t much warmth in the sun xx
It was lovely to see and feel the sunshine. But it was the blue in the sky which really captivated me Sunday afternoon.
As your son has probably told you (rubbed it in a little?) we’ve had an amazingly nice start to the season, just like last year but so far they’re not calling for an endng like that one.. Thank goodness..
Yeah, I sure hope you don’t get the mega snow like you got last year in Boston. That would have been too much even for this life-long Minnesotan.
It was incredible storm after storm, there was still snow in some places well into June.
Yeah, and who needs snow in June?
You have such HUGE skies in Minnesota!
That we do, Tooty, especially in the southwestern corner of Minnesota on my native prairie. Welcome to Minnesota Prairie Roots.