The holiday stays hot and humid
Rain chances increase over the weekend
Hot and humid weather dominates the holiday weekend, along with increasing chances for showers and storms, especially in northern Minnesota.
Friday’s forecast
Morning fog lifted quickly again Friday, morning, replaced with sunshine across the state. Most of Minnesota will see highs in the 90s Friday, and the humidity will put the “feels like” temperatures even higher.
Because of heat index values expected to be 95 degrees or above, the Twin Cities area is under a heat advisory again from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Even the wind won’t provide much relief from the heat as winds remain light, with only slightly breezy conditions in western Minnesota. By Friday afternoon, a few more clouds move into northwestern Minnesota, along with a chance for showers and storms in that corner of the state by late afternoon or evening.
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Holiday weekend forecast
July temperatures have risen across all of Minnesota the past few decades, for the Twin Cities, averaging about 2.3 degrees warmer now than back in 1970.
This Independence Day will not be the hottest on record, but the overall temperature for the day (highs and lows combined) is likely to run 5-15 degrees above average for much of the state, like it has the past couple days. Highs both Saturday and Sunday will range from the mid-80s north to lower 90s south. Humidity stays high, making it feel even warmer, so remember to practice heat safety if outside for extended periods of time. Overnight temperatures in the 60s and 70s remain even warmer relative to average lows than the highs have been compared to average highs.
The showers that move into northwestern Minnesota spread across the northern tier of the state Saturday. By Sunday, a few scattered showers and storms make it into southern Minnesota as well, but they remain most likely in northern Minnesota. Here is the precipitation forecast through Sunday evening, showing who is likely to get the most rain.
The weather then remains more active at least the first half of next week. Temperatures also continue above average the entire week.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.