Shower, thunderstorm chance in some areas Wednesday; cool, dry Thursday

A few scattered showers and thunderstorms could develop over Minnesota and western Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center shows a marginal risk of severe weather Wednesday afternoon for southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin:

A marginal risk means that an isolated severe thunderstorm is possible. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible in the slight risk area that covers much of central Wisconsin.

As always, updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you’ll also see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

You can see the recent local National Weather Service radar loop here. The northeastern Minnesota radar loop and the northwestern Minnesota radar loop are also available. The recent radar loop for southeastern Minnesota can be found here, and the southwestern Minnesota loop here.

Weekend rain chance

The best chance of occasional showers and thunderstorms this weekend will be on Saturday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the potential rain pattern Saturday through Saturday evening:

The Saturday rain may be a bit more scattered than what is shown in the GFS loop.

Temperature trends

Most of northern Minnesota will see highs in the 70s this Wednesday afternoon, with 80s in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Thursday highs will be in the 70s in most areas:

Friday will feature highs in the 70s north and lower 80s in parts of the south:

The Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to be around 80 on Saturday, followed by lower 80s Sunday.

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center shows a tendency toward cooler than normal temperatures in Minnesota next week:

It can be a few degrees cooler than normal and still feel pretty good in August.