Soggy and cooler weather returns

Following record warmth Sunday and Monday, temperatures trend cooler as clouds and rain start to spread across Minnesota, then the rest of the week turns soggy.

Monday was another warm day, with much of Minnesota over 30 degrees above average highs for early April. This set a few more record highs in parts of central and southern Minnesota, including for the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.

It also marked the first 80 degree reading of the year for the Twin Cities. The average “first 80” day is May 3, so the milestone came almost a month sooner than average, and significantly earlier than in 2020, when the Twin Cities did not hit its first 80 until May 23.

Tuesday’s forecast

Thanks to that warmth Monday, Tuesday started mild despite a cold front that passed though the state overnight.  Morning lows ranged from 30s north to 50s south. 

Although much of Minnesota is starting the day with some sunshine, clouds increase through the day and the majority of the state will see mostly cloudy skies by the afternoon. 

This is ahead of a storm system that also starts moving rain in from the south. The southern edge of Minnesota could see spotty showers anytime during the morning, and that chance spreads into central Minnesota by afternoon. 

By evening, rain affects all but northern Minnesota, and heavier rain bands and a few thunderstorms become more likely. As those storms move in during the afternoon and evening, a few could produce high winds or damaging hail.

The combination of the cooler air that already moved in, plus clouds and moisture put high across most of the state in the 50s, although southeastern Minnesota could still see a few 70s.

A wet pattern

Rain spreads across northern Minnesota overnight Tuesday, and by Wednesday, almost the entire state is under a soaking rain.

Wednesday will be the soggiest day, with much of the state forecast to get over an inch of rain as the center of the storm passes directly south of Minnesota. 

However, the rain stays very persistent Thursday, too, even though rain totals start to diminish. Rain slowly continues to become spottier and lighter Friday into Saturday, but overall, the rest of the week will be wet and cloudy. 

By the time the rain finally winds down at the end of the week, much of Minnesota sees at least an inch of rain, with central portions of the state expected to see 2 to 3 inches. 

There will be occasional thunderstorms during the event, so localized higher rain totals are likely. Fortunately, it looks like most of the severe weather with this storm system should stay well south of Minnesota.

The cloudy, wet pattern slowly cools temperatures through the end of the week. Highs through Saturday will be mostly in the 40s and 50s north and 50sand 60s south. 

Here are the forecast highs and lows for the Twin Cities:

Programming note

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