Minnesota's highs are about to tumble from the 80s to the 60s
Rain returns across the state Thursday and Friday
Minnesota’s recent warm trend continues Wednesday, then a pattern change brings more clouds and rain to the state, and slowly returns temperatures to seasonable levels.
Wednesday’s forecast
Ahead of the same warm front that brought warm and even hot weather Tuesday, the state had a very mild morning for late September. Other than a couple of 40s in the Arrowhead, most of Minnesota began Wednesday in the 50s, with numerous 60s south and west.
Highs also remain 10 to 20 degrees above average again, with 80s expected for most of Minnesota.
For western Minnesota, this is not as hot as Tuesday, when some spots including Moorhead, Rosseau, and Thief River Falls all made it into the 90s, and some towns on the North Dakota border even set records.
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Those 90s are less likely Wednesday because clouds increase during the day, providing less sunshine. A few showers are also possible in that area by late evening.
By contrast, eastern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, still sees mostly sunny skies and keeps the warm winds in place, nudging temperatures a couple degrees warmer than Tuesday.
Cooler weather returns
The rain that starts moving into western Minnesota late Wednesday keeps moving slowly across the state Thursday, with widespread rain and occasional storms Friday. Friday is expected to be the wettest day, but spotty showers are still likely into the weekend.
Rainfall is not forecast to be heavy in most areas. Most of the state will see under one-half inch of rain combining any precipitation through Sunday, with a couple higher amounts probable in areas that see thunderstorms or persistent rain bands.
The return of clouds and rain ends the recent warm trend.
Almost all of the state will be back in the 70s by Thursday. A couple of 80s are possible southeast, including the Twin Cities.
Friday and Saturday, highs cool a few more degrees to the mid and lower 70s, with a couple of 60s north.
By Sunday, most of Minnesota can expect highs only in the 60s, which brings temperatures much closer to average for early October, but will also be a very noticeable drop from the warmth of Tuesday and Wednesday.
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.