Hazy sunshine through Tuesday

Warm and hazy weather continues Monday and Tuesday, then the state takes a cold turn the second half of the week.

Monday’s Forecast

Monday started with temperatures ranging from cold 30s in the north to more seasonable 50s in southern Minnesota.

Under sunshine and a south to southeasterly wind flow Monday afternoon, northern Minnesota warms to average highs for mid-September, in the 60s. 

Western and southern Minnesota see slightly above average temperatures with 70s and even a few 80s in the southwestern corner of the state.

Although skies stay mostly sunny, smoke from the fires in the western United States is filtering into the upper atmosphere across Minnesota. While it currently looks like the smoke stays aloft and shouldn’t cause major air quality issues, it will make for hazy sunshine at times.

Temperatures tumble again

Most of the week ahead stays dry and sunny, with only spotty rain chances returning later in the week.

The smoke in the atmosphere makes it hazy again for parts of Minnesota Tuesday.
It will also be windy Tuesday, with winds from the southwest gusting 20 to 30 mph. 

That flow warms temperatures into the 70s and 80s. 

Already by Wednesday, the pattern changes and northerly winds start dropping temperatures, with the entire state seeing highs only in the 50s and 60s Thursday and Friday.

Here is that temperature trend for the Twin Cities:

The cold air is also likely to bring more frost and possibly freeze conditions to northern Minnesota Thursday and Friday mornings.

Temperatures slowly warm over the weekend, bringing most of Minnesota back to average highs by Sunday.

Programming note

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