Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Hot weather dominates the forecast over the holiday weekend, and with most of Minnesota already in drought conditions, that will impact some activities.

Under a broad area of high pressure, Minnesota will see light winds, low humidity, and plentiful sunshine Friday.

Because of the clear skies and drier air, temperatures drop significantly overnight following Thursday’s warm weather.  Morning lows were mostly in the 50s north and 60s south.

However, those same conditions allow us to warm quickly during the day, with almost the entire state in the mid-80s or hotter.  

Although winds will be light, the flow around the high is bringing light southerly winds to western Minnesota, and that will helps push most of the western half of the state into the 90s.

With high pressure still in place Saturday, and even more of Minnesota under a southerly flow, almost the entire state can expect highs in the 90s Saturday and Sunday. That flow also funnels in more moisture, pushing the dew points into the 60s and making conditions more humid.  

A front moves across Minnesota starting on Sunday, that brings scattered showers and storms into northwestern Minnesota by Sunday afternoon. The precipitation spread across the state by evening, then exits southeast early Monday.  

There may be enough instability behind it for some isolated activity to redevelop in eastern Minnesota Monday afternoon. Rain amounts are currently forecast to stay under a quarter inch for most of the state, and it currently does not look like there is a significant risk for severe weather.  

Temperature also stay hot Monday, despite the potential wet weather, with 80s north and 90s south.  

Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:

Even though Minnesota has not been put under any fire weather watches or red flag warnings as of Friday morning (in part, because winds are light Friday), it does not mean fires are not a risk over the holiday weekend.  

All of the state is considered “dry,” and 82 percent of Minnesota is now in at least moderate drought, an increase from 75 percent last week.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has issued alerts about the high fire risk for the state, and much of Minnesota is under combinations of fire danger and/or burn restrictions, especially in state parks and other public areas.  

This specifically includes prohibitions of campfires and fireworks in some spots. More information on the restrictions can be found 

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

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

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Nicole Mitchell 

Author

Hot weather dominates the forecast over the holiday weekend, and with most of Minnesota already in drought conditions, that will impact some activities.


The heat cranks up for the holiday weekend

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