Northern Minnesota stays the warmer spot through the weekend

A weather pattern that keeps more clouds and a few showers south means northern Minnesota will be the state’s warm spot through the weekend.

Friday and Saturday

Minnesota was off to a milder start Friday than Thursday’s chilly weather, with 40s and 50s for most of the state, and 60s south. 

Skies will be predominantly sunny both days, except for western and southern Minnesota, where a storm system sliding south of the state is bringing in more clouds and a few isolated showers, especially along the Iowa border. 

That unsettled weather south will cause a few showers and maybe a couple isolated storms in southern and western Minnesota both days, but severe weather remains unlikely.

For the Twin Cities, this mostly brings in a mix of sun and clouds, with a stray shower possible, especially in the south metro on Saturday. Precipitation will stay under a half-inch in most places, with the rain missing northern Minnesota entirely.

Because of the sunnier skies north, northern Minnesota will be the warm spot both days with 80s north and more 70s as you head farther south.

Extended forecast

By Sunday, that rain potential and most of the clouds move out for all but the southeastern corner of the state.

This warms almost all of Minnesota into the 80s, with a couple 90s possible west and north. 

Highs in the 80s then prevail for most of next week, which is seasonable for mid-July. Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities through Tuesday:

Unfortunately for the current drought situation, rain chances next week look limited, except for a system that may bring in showers and storms late Tuesday into Thursday.

We will keep you updated on any rain potential as that storm approaches.

Programming note

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