Severe weather targets northern Minnesota Thursday

The heat index pushes into the 90s for many locations

Most of Thursday will be warm, humid, and dry, but the evening turns active as severe weather starts making its way across northern Minnesota.

Thursday’s forecast

A southeasterly wind flow plus mostly cloudy skies overnight has much of Minnesota waking up warm and muggy Thursday, with temperatures ranging from a few 50s in northern Minnesota, to 70s in the southwestern corner of the state. 

There is also a corridor of fog running through central and western Minnesota that will burn-off by midmorning. It stays warm and humid through the day, with most highs in the 80s. 

weather graphic
Thursday high temperatures
National Weather Service

Combined with dew points in the 70s, the heat and humidity will push the heat index past 90 for most of southern Minnesota Thursday afternoon. 

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weather graphic
Forecast heat index Thursday afternoon
National Weather Service

Most of the day stays dry with a mix of sunshine and clouds across the state.  However, by late afternoon, a strong cold front starts pushing showers and storms into the northwestern corner of the state. 

weather graphic
Forecast cold front location Thursday evening
National Weather Service

Those storms push across northern Minnesota through the evening and bring a significant risk for severe weather including wind, hail, and heavy rain causing localized flooding. A few tornadoes are also possible.

weather graphic
Severe weather risk Thursday
National Weather Service

The showers and storms continue to spread across the state through the overnight and into Friday.

That extended forecast will be updated around 9:30 a.m.

Programming note

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