Temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above average by Sunday

The gusty winds that helped fuel a fire danger Friday diminish by Saturday, and the weekend brings near-record temperatures. 

A pattern change next week returns rain chances to Minnesota.

Friday evening

Minnesota spent Friday afternoon with above average temperatures driven by gusty southerly winds.  As of 5 p.m. Friday, this puts northern Minnesota in the 50s, most temperature readings in the 60s south, and wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph for much of southern and central Minnesota. (Each wind barb on a wind direction flag adds 11.5 mph.)

The warm, gusty winds and low humidity have all of the state, except the Arrowhead, under a red flag warning due to critical fire conditions until 8 p.m. Friday.

The winds diminish through the evening and are much lighter by Saturday. Overnight temperatures drop into the 30s for most of the state.

Weekend warmth

Noticeably warmer weather is expected over the weekend, with most of northern and central Minnesota in the 60s by Saturday, with 70s south and west.

Highs nudge even milder on Sunday, especially in southern Minnesota, where a few 80s are possible southwest. Similar warmth continues Monday.

Those highs Sunday and Monday will be 20 to 30 degrees above average and will edge close to record highs. For example, the Twin Cities will be in the mid- to upper 70s the first two days of next week, and those records are 81 and 80 respectively (for April 4 and 5). With many temperatures in the state flirting with records, it is likely a couple record highs will be set somewhere, particularly with southwestern Minnesota likely seeing a couple 80s.

That is a stark contrast from last year’s Easter, when we were dealing with a snowstorm!

We’ll have chances for rain next week and cool temperatures back to more seasonable April temperatures by mid-week. Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:

Needed rain

The weekend remains dry and mostly sunny. 

By Monday and Tuesday, a few spotty showers or even a couple isolated storms are possible.

Although the precipitation early in the week currently looks sparse, it looks like more persistent precipitation should move in mid-week.

That would lead to wet weather Wednesday, Thursday — and possibly into Friday, especially for southern Minnesota. Here is the precipitation outlook through next Friday, showing that rain potential:

Any rain would be very beneficial given the dry conditions across most of the state. 

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.