A delightful Thursday, breezy and even warmer on Friday

Flooding continues along the Red River

Our average high temperature is 58 degrees this time of year in the Twin Cities. Thursday afternoon high temps will be close to that mark in the metro area.

Highs will be in the 50s across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Parts of southwestern Minnesota could reach the 60s Thursday afternoon, with a few upper 40s in northeastern Minnesota.

Many areas will top out in the 60s on Friday, with a few 50s in far northern Minnesota:

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Friday forecast highs
National Weather Service

Highs in the 50s are on tap for northern and central Minnesota on Saturday, with 60s to the south:

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Saturday forecast highs
National Weather Service

Similar highs are expected on Sunday:

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Sunday forecast highs
National Weather Service

After weekend highs in the lower 60s in the Twin Cities metro area, we’ll probably top out in the lower 50s Monday, followed by upper 40s Tuesday and around 50 next Wednesday.

By the way, we haven’t reached 60 degrees or warmer at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport since Oct. 10.

Rain chances

Eastern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area, could see a passing shower overnight Friday night.

Showers will probably move into parts of western Minnesota Sunday afternoon, then spread eastward. Some showers could arrive in the Twin Cities late Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening.

Sunday night and Monday look really rainy.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System (GFS) model shows the potential precipitation pattern from Sunday afternoon through Monday evening:

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NOAA GFS precipitation rate Sunday afternoon through Monday
Tropicaltidbits.com

Listen for updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll also see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Flooding along the Red River

Flood warnings continue for many North Dakota and Minnesota counties that border the Red River:

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Flood warnings continue along the Red River
National Weather Service

You can get flood warning details by clicking on the map at the NWS Grand Forks, N.D., site.

Hydrographs of recent and forecast river levels can be found here. The Thursday morning hydrograph shows that the Red River is at moderate flood stage at East Grand Forks, Minn. , and will start to slowly fall this weekend:

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Thursday morning hydrograph for East Grand Forks, Minnesota
NOAA/USGS

Fall color update

There’s still some great fall color in portions of Minnesota, according to the latest fall color report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

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Thursday fall colors
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Keep in mind that the fall color report includes all deciduous trees, not just maples. A Wisconsin fall color report is also available.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.