Needed rain chances return into the Minnesota forecast
Smoke and haze lessen as heat and higher humidity come back
Minnesota is expected to see slow improvement in the air quality through the day Tuesday, then as heat and humidity return, so do more rain chances. The current forecast brings some scattered showers and storms into the state on Thursday.
Tuesday’s forecast
With hazy but otherwise clear skies overnight and low humidity, Minnesota started off in the 50s and low 60s again Tuesday.
Highs will be a couple of degrees warmer than Monday, with much of the state in the mid- and upper 80s, and a few 90s west.
There is widespread smoke and haze still as of Tuesday morning, with current air quality conditions as of 9 a.m. ranging from “good” in southeastern Minnesota to an “unhealthy” in portions of northern Minnesota, especially near the North Dakota border.
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Given these readings, the air quality alert is still in effect for all but the southeastern corner of Minnesota until at least 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The smoke and haze conditions on Tuesday should slowly improve through the day because winds are from the south and west Tuesday morning, becoming more consistently southerly during the day.
That pattern cuts off the flow of smoke from Canada and helps disperse the smoke already sitting over the state.
Extended forecast
Temperatures stay warmer than average Wednesday too, with most of Minnesota seeing highs in the upper 80s.
Those highs are likely to cool a couple of degrees Thursday with more clouds and rain chances, but the overall trend through the weekend is for temperatures to slowly creep higher.
Southern Minnesota should start seeing occasional 90s by Friday.
Here is that warming trend for the Twin Cities:
The humidity is also increasing, and much of Minnesota can expect dew points back in the 60s by Thursday, with upper 60s expected in southern Minnesota over the weekend.
Rain chances are also on the rise late week. The current forecast brings some scattered showers and storms into the state on Thursday.
Most of Friday stays drier again, with another round of showers and storms possible late Friday through Saturday.
Unfortunately, precipitation amounts Thursday look low, with most areas forecast to see one-tenth of an inch or rain or less. Totals could be slightly higher Saturday.
The better news for rainfall and drought conditions comes next week, when the pattern is forecast to stay more active, providing Minnesota with at least some possibility for rain almost every day!
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.