Minnesota goes from a few 90s Tuesday to 60s by Sunday
Rain chances return the second half of the week
Temperatures continue to run 10 to 20 degrees warmer across Minnesota through Wednesday. Then, a pattern change brings back rain and cools the state back into the 60s.
Tuesday’s forecast
Under the influence of high pressure and light to calm winds, northeastern Minnesota is starting Tuesday with areas of fog, which lifted as of 9 a.m.
The rest of Minnesota had clear skies through the night, which allowed low temperatures to drop into the 40s and 50s. Those morning lows were still slightly above average though, thanks to light winds from the southeast providing a mild wind flow.
Ahead of a warm front, winds become more southerly during the day and even turn a little breezy on the western edge of the state. This pulls even warmer air across the state and combined with sunny skies, that pushes most of Minnesota into the 80s, with a few 90s west.
For northwestern Minnesota, this puts some record highs in jeopardy. For example, the Fargo-Moorhead record high for Sept. 28 currently stands at 90 degrees, and temperatures there are forecast to make it into at least the upper 80s.
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Cooler weather returns
Minnesota stays ahead of the warm front Wednesday too, keeping most of the state in the 80s again. However, increasing clouds, especially in western Minnesota, make any 90s less likely.
A more unsettled weather pattern influences Minnesota the second half of the week, with showers possible in western Minnesota beginning Wednesday afternoon or evening.
That rain chance slows spreads east across the state Thursday, with the Twin Cities likely to start seeing some wet weather by Thursday afternoon or evening. There could also be an occasional thunderstorm with the showers, but severe weather is not forecast.
Although it will not be a washout, and there will be plenty of dry breaks, scattered showers and storms continue over Minnesota Friday, and some spotty activity is still likely into the weekend.
Most of Minnesota can expect under one-half inch of rain through Sunday, with a couple higher amounts likely in areas that see thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the clouds and rain start cooling the unseasonably warm weather.
Most of the state will be back in the 70s by Thursday (a couple 80s are possible southeast, including the Twin Cities).
Friday and Saturday, highs cool a couple more degrees to the mid and lower 70s.
By Sunday, most of Minnesota can expect highs only in the 60s (the Twin Cities may briefly get to 70), which brings temperatures much closer to average for early October.
Here is that temperature trend for the Twin Cities:
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.