Scattered thunder Tuesday; glorious State Fair opener

Highs in the 70s Thursday

Summer sky in the southwest metro area.
Summer sky in the southwest metro area.
Paul Huttner/MPR News

You could make the case that Monday was one of the best weather days of the year across Minnesota. And naturally, it’s Monday.

We enjoyed wall to wall sunshine and highs in the 70s and 80s across Minnesota to open the week. I saw a temperature range from 70 at Grand Marais to 86 in Canby Monday afternoon. A summery air mass remained in full control of the United States Monday afternoon. Simply. Lovely.

Temperatures Monday afternoon
Temperatures Monday afternoon
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via Oklahoma Mesonet

Scattered storms Tuesday

A cool front sags south across Minnesota Tuesday. The front spawns scattered storms overnight across northern Minnesota. Storms fade ion coverage Tuesday morning, but a few may reach the Twin Cities in the hours during the midday and p.m. hours.

NOAA’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model paints the progression of storms overnight through Tuesday afternoon.

NOAA HRRR model overnight through 3 pm Tuesday
NOAA HRRR model overnight through 3 pm Tuesday
NOAA via tropical tidbits

Great Fair opener

The forecast looks favorable for the first days of the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. High pressure brings sunshine, low humidity and highs in the 70s Thursday and Friday. Heat, humidity and occasional storm chances return for the weekend.

NOAA temperature forecast for Minneapolis
NOAA temperature forecast for Minneapolis
NOAA via Weather Bell

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