Warmer Thursday, with thunderstorm chances highest to the north

The best chance of scattered thunderstorms Thursday and Thursday evening will be in northern and central Minnesota plus northwestern Wisconsin. An isolated thunderstorm is possible in the Twin Cities metro area and points to our south and east.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center shows a slight risk of severe weather (shaded yellow) in northeastern Minnesota, which means than scattered severe thunderstorms are possible:

There’s a marginal risk (shaded dark-green) of severe weather Thursday and Thursday night for parts of north-central and central Minnesota plus the northern part of the Twin Cities metro area into northwestern Wisconsin. Marginal risk means that an isolated severe thunderstorm is possible

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Drought update

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor report shows severe drought in much of central and southern St. Louis County, including Duluth:

Northern Aitkin County and northeastern Crow Wing County are also in severe drought. The areas shaded in beige are in moderate drought and the areas shaded yellow are abnormally dry but not yet in drought.

Friday night severe risk

Northern and central Minnesota have the best chance of severe weather Friday night, but the Twin Cities metro area could also see some severe weather.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center shows an enhanced risk of severe weather Friday and Friday night in much of northern and central Minnesota.

Here’s the Twin Cities NWS depiction of the severe weather risk Friday night:

The beige-shaded enhanced risk area in much of northern Minnesota and part of central Minnesota could see numerous severe thunderstorms Friday evening/overnight Friday night.

Scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible Friday night in the slight risk area that is shaded yellow and includes the Twin Cities.

Temperature trends

Thursday afternoon high temps are expected to range from lower 80s in far northern Minnesota to upper 80s in southwestern Minnesota. There may be an isolated 90 in the southwest.

Friday highs reach the upper 80s in much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with cooler highs to the northeast:

Saturday highs reach the 90s south, with 80s north:

Saturday will be steamy, with dew points in the 70s in the southern half of Minnesota and much of western Wisconsin:

The Saturday afternoon heat index is likely to be well above 100 degrees in much of central and southern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin.

If you like it cooler and less humid, some relief will arrive on Sunday. Sunday dew points retreat to the 60s and most areas will have Sunday highs in the 80s with a few 70s in far northern Minnesota.