Upcoming rain chances bring a minor dent to Minnesota's recent dry spell

Following a couple dry and sunny days, unsettled weather returns to Minnesota, bringing light rain chances though the weekend. However, it will not be enough precipitation to turn around our recent drier trend.

Thursday’s forecast

Following the mild weather Wednesday and with light southerly winds overnight, Minnesota started Thursday much milder than the past few frosty mornings.  Most of the state had lows in the 40s, with a few 30s, especially northeast.

The high pressure that brought dry and sunny skies the past couple days is continuing to slide away, and that will allow a little more instability to return into the forecast. Northern Minnesota is seeing a few morning sprinkles, and the western edge of the state could see a few light rain showers by the late afternoon or evening.

Despite this, skies still remain mostly dry and sunny, which allows much of the state to make it into the low 70s for afternoon highs.

Humidity will be low once again, leading to another day of an elevated fire risk for much of the state.

Rain needed

Minnesota has been critically dry the past two weeks, with much of the state getting less than a quarter of the typical rain for this time of year.

Widespread rain chances return across the state Friday, with scattered showers and a few isolated storms likely.

Spotty showers around the state then continue Saturday and Sunday, although there will also be plenty of dry breaks and periods of sunshine too.

The slightly wetter pattern also helps raise the humidity levels and reduces the fire risk around the state. 

However, it does not look like the rainfall will be significant enough to make up for the recent deficit. Totals through Sunday are forecast to be predominantly under a quarter inch of rain, with many areas seeing even less.

Currently, there are not significant chances for any soaking storms next week either.

Seasonable temperatures

With more clouds and showers moving in Friday, especially in southern Minnesota, that returns a few more highs to the 60s south, while northern Minnesota still sees 70s Friday.

After that, highs stay pretty consistent statewide in the upper 60s and low 70s through the weekend.

By Monday, even warmer weather spreads across the state, and most of Minnesota makes it back in the 70s, with a few 80s possible, especially on the western edge of the state.
Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities: 

Highs predominantly in the 70s, with occasional 80s then continue across the state for the rest of next week.

Programming note

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