Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

A few showers Wednesday; strong storms late Thursday

Temperatures go from seasonable to hot

Southern Minnesota sees a few spotty showers and storms Wednesday. The next statewide storm system moves in Thursday night, bringing a risk for severe weather. Temperatures are on the rise, and hot weather returns by the weekend.

Wednesday’s forecast

Most of the state started Wednesday in the 50s, with just a couple 40s in central and northern Minnesota. Highs will be predominantly in the 70s again, which is seasonable in the northern half of the state and a couple degrees below average for southern Minnesota.

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Wednesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

The weather will be unstable enough in southern Minnesota for occasional showers, and possibly a couple isolated storms in the afternoon.

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Wednesday afternoon precipitation
National Weather Service

Strong storms are not expected, and any activity winds down through the evening. Northern Minnesota is likely to stay dry and mostly sunny.

The next storm

Thursday should be dry and sunny for most of the state, until late afternoon, when a few showers and storms start moving into western Minnesota ahead of the next storm system. 

As the showers and storms spread Thursday evening and into the overnight, there is a risk for severe weather, especially for the southwestern corner of the state. Damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes are possible. 

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Severe weather risk late Thursday
National Weather Service

The entire state can expect mostly cloudy skies, with scattered showers and storms through the day Friday, before everything clears out west to east by late Friday. 

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Forecast storm location Friday morning
National Weather Service

Most of the state should see at least a quarter inch precipitation, with higher amounts along with stronger storms.

The weekend turns drier again, with only spotty chances for afternoon showers or storms.

Temperatures rise

By Thursday, most of the state is back in the 80s. Temperatures may dip briefly back into more 70s Friday due to the clouds and wet weather, but overall, the heat ramps up through the weekend, with a few 90s possible by Sunday. 

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Sunday high temperatures
National Weather Service

The hot weather isn’t limited to Sunday. All of next week is likely to have above-average temperatures.

Programming note

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