Baby, it’s cold and vicious outside — but when has that ever stopped Pioneer Press Treasure Hunters?

At least one intrepid hunter reported being out over Monday’s lunch hour, according to Rick Brass, who’s with the Cooler Crew, a community of avid treasure hunters who post on a forum — and where hunting in horrid weather is a badge of honor.

The best news is that after Monday’s 6 to 8 inches or more of snow dumped on Ramsey County parks — where the hunt takes place — the worst weather is behind us. Now all they have to do is dig through the deep stuff. It’s almost like the scene is set.

The wicked weather is forecast to taper off around midnight — just when Clue 3 arrives.

Light snow could continue Monday night into the wee hours Tuesday but — bad for hunters — that wind won’t slow down. Any overnight hunters this early in the hunt will have to fend off blowing snow and sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts of 30 to 35 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s Chanhassen office.

The winner of the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, by Fury Jeep, could collect as much as $10,000.

Tuesday will be the start of a good medallion hunting run, said Alexandra Keclik, an NWS meteorologist.

By late morning, the sun could come out, winds will drop to 5 to 10 mph, and we could see a high of 26. Nighttime hunters will face lows in the teens.

“Dry and mild” is the forecast for later in the week. Here’s the forecast:

Wednesday should be partly sunny, with a high near 28 and winds around 5 mph. The nighttime low is forecast around 17 degrees, with light winds.

Thursday and Friday will be prime hunting days. Thursday’s forecast is for highs in the mid-30s under partly sunny skies. Hunters will scoff at the nighttime low of around 29 above.

On Friday, look for the Big Melt, under mostly sunny skies and a high of near 43 with light winds. By this time, hunters will be in shirtsleeves. Nighttime lows drop to around a laughable 27.

Saturday’s temperatures will be back near normal, partly sunny and in the upper 20s to low 30s, with a high of 33. Temps in the teens Saturday night.

On Sunday, look for cooler, partly sunny skies and a high near 23, winds 5 to 10 mph.

So it won’t be arctic out, but the National Weather Service still encourages everyone to dress appropriately for the weather. “We encourage people to dress in layers. Hats and gloves are appropriate, and good snowboots, because you don’t want that melted snow getting into your shoes,” Keclik said.

After Sunday and into the final week of the Treasure Hunt, the same generally holds, according to the Climate Prediction Center, which tracks weather patterns eight to 14 days out.

 

“Temperatures are looking near to slightly below normal, so highs in the lower to mid-20s,” Keclik said.

This early out, no big snowfall is forecast. But, says Keclik, “that could certainly change before then.”

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