Heatwave breaks with thunderstorms Thursday
I'm watching two storm chances Thursday morning and evening
Welcome to the fifth day of 90-degree heat this year for much of Minnesota.
Minnesota rides the northern part of a steamy summer air mass again Wednesday afternoon. Highs near 90 degrees push all the way north to the Canadian border.
Thursday cold front
A cooler front slides across Minnesota Thursday. The frontal zone moves through the Dakotas tonight.
The advancing front triggers a line of strong to severe thunderstorms in western Minnesota tonight. A few cells from that line could survive the trip into the Twin Cities and eastern Minnesota early Thursday morning before fading.
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A second wave fires along the slow-moving frontal zone Thursday in western Minnesota. That wave likely arrives in the Twin Cities and eastern Minnesota late Thursday afternoon and evening.
NOAA’s NAM 3 km resolution model paints the two waves moving across Minnesota.
Severe risk
There is a risk for several severe storms tonight from the Red River Valley and the eastern Dakotas into western Minnesota.
Thursday’s risk is marginal for much of Minnesota including the Twin Cities.
Much needed rainfall
Much of Minnesota needs a good soaking rain. Forecast models favor a patchwork of rainfall totals. That’s pretty typical with localized summer thunderstorms. Some lucky lawns and fields may pick up an inch or more by Friday. Bus most locations will see far less than an inch.
Stay situationally aware overnight and Thursday as storms develop. Watches and warnings are likely.