Chances for needed rain return to Minnesota
Other than a couple hot days, temperatures stay more seasonable
After another dry and sunny day Tuesday, Minnesota finally sees a chance for needed rain midweek, but it comes along with a risk for severe weather.
Tuesday’s forecast
Under clear skies, lower dew points in the 40s and 50s and light winds, temperatures dipped nicely overnight. Much of northern Minnesota started Tuesday in the 40s, with 50s for the majority of the state and a few lingering 60s, including the Twin Cities.
Those temperatures across the state were all within a couple degrees above or below average for morning lows.
Highs are also expected to be seasonable, with most of the state just slightly above the average highs. Northwestern Minnesota will see a few 70s, and the rest of Minnesota is expected to make it into the low to mid-80s.
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Dry skies and plenty of sunshine prevail again, along with lower humidity.
Rain chances return
Temperatures turn hotter again by Wednesday, thanks to a southerly flow ahead of a weather system, with 80s for most of the state and 90s possible west. Thursday will also be hotter, with widespread 80s and a few 90s south.
The same storm system also brings the best chances for rain this week. It currently looks like showers and storms should start pushing into western Minnesota by Wednesday afternoon, moving through the state overnight.
Scattered showers and storms are likely to linger across southern Minnesota Thursday. Although rain totals will be lower, with under a tenth of an inch for most of the state, southeastern Minnesota is likely to see higher totals because that is where the wet weather is likely to persist longer.
Southeast Minnesota also has the highest chances for strong storms with the system. There will be an isolated (marginal) severe weather risk for central and southern Minnesota late Wednesday, then a scattered (slight) risk area southeast on Thursday.
We also start next week with another storm that could bring widespread showers and storms across the state from Sunday into Monday.
It currently looks like that may bring some needed areas of heavier rain, especially for northern Minnesota.
Behind the system Thursday, cooler air returns, dropping highs into the 70s north and 80s south through the weekend. Here is that forecast 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.