Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Hot, dry and windy Friday; record weekend temperatures likely

Hot, dry weather is on tap through the Labor Day weekend. Gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation will increase the wildfire risk.

Stray thunderstorms for southern metro Friday morning

As if this year’s weather didn’t bring enough surprises, a cluster of thunderstorms developed southwest of the Twin Cities and as of 8 a.m. was cruising rapidly eastward across the southern half of the metro area with rain and gusty winds. Small hail is possible.

Weather radar at 8:00 a.m. Friday
Weather radar at 8 a.m. Friday
National Weather Service

Hot and windy Friday

July-like heat will be blowing into Minnesota on gusty southwest winds Friday. Afternoon temperatures will warm into the 80s across northern Minnesota while southern parts of the state reach the low 90s. The Twin Cities will likely just touch 90.

Scorching weekend

Winds will be lighter for the holiday weekend, but temperatures will heat to record and near-record levels.

Forecast temperatures through Labor Day
Forecast temperatures through Labor Day
Twin Cities National Weather Service

Look for high temperatures on Saturday from the upper 80s north to the upper 90s south. The Twin Cities should reach the mid-90s with a bit more humidity.

The hottest of the hot weather will blanket the state on Sunday and Monday. High temperatures should reach the 90s statewide with some spots cracking 100 on Sunday.

The record highs for the Twin Cities for this weekend are 97 for Saturday and Sunday, and 98 for Monday. Sunday’s record is the most likely to fall as the metro area should get close to 100. Monday could come close, as well.

Forecast high temperatures for Monday
Forecast high temperatures for Monday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Prediction Center

Not sultry, however

While dew points will climb some for the weekend, they will not go Miami-like as they did during the heat wave a week or so ago. During that heat wave, the Twin Cities had a record dew point of 79 on Aug. 22. This time dew points will climb just into the manageable 60s.

Wildfire risk

The hot temperatures, low dew points, gusty winds and lack of recent rains will create a wildfire danger through the weekend.

Little if any rain is expected the next few days. A few isolated showers are possible Friday and Friday night, mainly north of the Twin Cities.

Maybe some midweek rain

A better chance of rain will come our way around Tuesday into Wednesday as a cold front begins dragging cooler, more comfortable air into the state.

Forecast high temperatures for Wednesday
Forecast high temperatures for Wednesday
NOAA Weather Prediction Center

Rebound heat a week out?

The temperature outlook for Sept. 8-14 indicates a good chance of a return to toasty weather late next week.

8-14 day temperature outlook September 8-14
Temperature outlook Sept. 8-14
NOAA Climate Prediction Center