Southern Minnesota gets needed rain over the weekend
Most of the state sees highs only in the 50s the next few days
Temperatures remain below average through the weekend and into early next week. Meanwhile, rain chances stay limited outside of a storm that clips southern Minnesota.
Friday’s forecast
A cold front that passed through the state Thursday reinforced the recent below average temperatures, and Minnesota started off frosty again Friday. Much of the state began the day in the upper 20s or 30s.
Highs will also be about 5 to 10 degrees below average, with almost the entire state in the 50s under sunny skies.
The dry weather results in very low relative humidity by the afternoon, which keeps fire concerns present, although lighter winds than Thursday mean no red flag warnings have been issued.
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Weekend rain chances
A storm that dives south of Minnesota starts bringing in more clouds Saturday morning, and begins moving rain in by the afternoon. Because of the location of the storm, southern Minnesota gets scattered showers and possibly a few storms, then the wet weather turns spottier as you head north.
Few showers are likely to make it north of the Interstate 94 corridor, and northern Minnesota stays dry and sunnier.
Most of the rain comes Saturday afternoon through the overnight, although light precipitation may linger Sunday. For the Twin Cities, a few light showers are most likely Saturday evening, with a lingering sprinkle possible on Sunday.
While rain totals stay predominantly light, a few areas near the Iowa border could see up to one-half inch of rain.
That would be very beneficial, because much of the southern edge of Minnesota is still under moderate drought conditions. Drier conditions are expected to prevail again after that until the second half of next week.
Temperatures
Saturday is forecast to start off frosty again for much of Minnesota, and temperatures remain cool for early May through Monday, with highs mostly in the 50s and a couple low 60s south and west.
Finally, by Tuesday, more of the state sees 60s again, which is closer to average. Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:
For southern Minnesota that is still a couple degrees below the average highs, which are in the upper 60s by mid-May in the Twin Cities. Seasonably warmer weather does return the second half of the week, and 70s are possible by the end of the week.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.