Hot and stormy weather returns

Dangerous heat returns as we head into the weekend, along with an increasing chance for storms.

Hot and humid

A pattern shift Thursday that started bringing in warmer, more humid air from the south had Minnesota starting Friday noticeably warmer. As winds increase out of the south Friday, with most of the state seeing gusts over 20 mph at times, hotter and more humid air funnels across the state.

This pushes highs for most places near or above 90 degrees on Friday and Saturday, and dew points into the 70s. This combination of heat and humidity will put the heat index past 100 for parts of southern and western Minnesota. 

Because of the high heat and humidity Friday and Saturday, plus very warm and muggy overnight temperatures Friday night, most of western Minnesota and southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, are under either heat advisories or excessive heat warnings from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

By Sunday, cooler air starts moving in for northern Minnesota, and spreads across the entire state by Monday. 

Here is that temperature trend for the Twin Cities:

The weekend also turns stormy

While most of the state stays sunny Friday, northern Minnesota can expect a mix of clouds and sunshine and a slight chance for isolated wet weather. 

By Friday evening, a more extensive area of showers and storms moves into the northwestern corner of the state, bringing a risk for severe weather.

By Saturday, the showers and storms spread statewide as does an isolated chance for strong storms. Some are likely to produce heavy rain at times.

For southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, the heavy rain chances are most likely Saturday evening into early Sunday. Through the day Sunday, skies and rain will clear out from the northwest early, to the southeast by late day.  By Monday, widespread sunshine returns.

Programming note 

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