Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Thunderstorms rumble up north; 90s return this week

Severe weather risk for northern Minnesota

Severe weather risk areas
Severe weather risk areas
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Welcome to August, Minnesota! How did that happen anyway?

August opens on thundery notes in northern and central Minnesota. A weak low-pressure system near the Canadian border is causing a few scattered thunderstorms Tuesday.

A few isolated storms are possible Wednesday. As of this post time, scattered thunderstorms are drifting south north of Little Falls to Hinckley. Another batch is approaching the Grand Rapids and Iron Range areas.

There is a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe storms across northwest Minnesota Tuesday with a lower marginal risk (level 1 of 5) into central Minnesota. (map above)

The atmosphere across the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota is a bit more stable this week. Storms will tend to dissipate as they drift southward across Minnesota.

Heat returns

August brings another shot of 90-degree temperatures to parts of Minnesota. Highs Wednesday should top 90 degrees across most of western and southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.

Forecast high temperatures Wednesday
Forecast high temperatures Wednesday.
NOAA

Thursday looks like the warmest day this week. I think the forecast map below could be a bit conservative. Highs could reach the mid-90s from the Twin Cities through western Minnesota.

Forecast high temperatures Thursday
Forecast high temperatures Thursday
NOAA

We’ve recorded 20 days of 90-degree or hotter temperatures in the Twin Cities so far this year. It looks like we’ll be at least 22 by the end of this week. The long-term annual average is about 13 days.

Cooler days ahead

Next week looks cooler around Minnesota. Highs will be in the 70s across most of the state by Sunday.

Forecast high temperatures Monday
Forecast high temperatures Monday
NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s six to 10-day outlook favors cooler-than-average temperatures next week:

NOAA 6 to 10-day temperature outlook
6 to 10-day temperature outlook
NOAA