Warmer weather ahead plus a meteor shower overnight

Parts of Minnesota will have excellent viewing for the Lyrid meteor shower overnight. Temperatures the next couple days go from below average Tuesday to very warm on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s forecast

Much quieter weather has returned for Tuesday, but temperatures will be cooler because of the cold front on Monday. Tuesday afternoon, most of the highs will be in the 30s and 40s, although a warm front that will be pushing in from the west could bring parts of southwestern Minnesota into the 50s and 60s. 

Winds have died down significantly, although it could still be just a little breezy in the afternoon. 
Between the lighter winds and cooler temperatures, there will not be the elevated fire risk again on Tuesday. 

Ahead of the warm front, a few light rain showers are possible for northern Minnesota by afternoon and eastern Minnesota by evening and in the overnight. 

For the Twin Cities, this could mean a couple sprinkles in the evening, then spotty little light rain late Tuesday night. In northern Minnesota, a few flakes of snow will likely mix in as temperatures cool overnight.

Lyrid meteor shower peaks early Wednesday

Fortunately, overnight precipitation will be spotty enough to allow some breaks in the clouds and even some areas with clearer skies, for those who are looking to see the Lyrid meteor shower. 

The meteor shower comes during a new moon, meaning less light in the sky for easier viewing of the meteors. The peak will happen Wednesday morning around 1 a.m. and usually lasts a couple hours.

During the peak, there could be about 10 to 20 meteors per hour. 

Here is the cloud cover forecast (shown in percent of sky cover) for that time, showing the best viewing will likely be in western Minnesota. 

For optimal viewing, you want to be away from any bright lights.  Enjoy!

Extended forecast

The warm front that starts to push in Tuesday will bring state-wide milder weather by Wednesday, with 50s and 60s for most of the state and a few 70s and possibly even an isolated 80 for southern Minnesota.

Isolated light rain and light morning snow is possible for northern Minnesota, and southeastern Minnesota could see an afternoon shower or isolated storm, but most of the state should remain dry on Wednesday.

From Thursday through the end of the week, the weather remains unsettled enough to bring occasional light rain showers across the state.

Precipitation remains light enough that most of Minnesota will see a quarter inch or less of total precipitation all the way through Saturday. 

Temperatures toward the end of the week will stay seasonable, mostly in the 50s and 60s. Here is the extended forecast for the Twin Cities:

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.