Unsettled weather and cooler temperatures on their way
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The official Twin Cities temperature at MSP Airport warmed to at least 98 degrees Monday afternoon. That ties the record high temperature for this date. And Monday also became the hottest Labor Day, which varies by date, of record, edging 1913 out by a single degree.
Some cities in western Minnesota topped the century mark. I saw reports of 102 in Appleton, Benson, Madison, Canby and Montevideo at 4 p.m.
Labor Day Monday is the last day for our heat wave for western Minnesota while eastern Minnesota will have to be patient for one more day. A cold front from the west will slide into Minnesota on Wednesday as the leading edge of much more normal September weather.
Heat advisories continue
Heat advisories continue. The advisory from central Minnesota into northwestern Wisconsin is set to expire at 7 p.m. on Monday. The cooler air will spread slowly southeast across Minnesota. The heat advisory for the Twin Cities area, southeastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin is scheduled to continue through Tuesday afternoon.
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Fire danger
Hot, dry weather, gusty winds and dry vegetation will continue to create an enhanced wildfire danger into Monday evening.
Isolated showers north
There have been some isolated showers in northern Minnesota Monday afternoon.
Unsettled weather Monday night northwest
Meanwhile, strong storms have been building in the Dakotas Monday afternoon. Strong to severe storms are likely to spread northeastward into northwestern Minnesota well after sunset Monday night. There is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather Monday night in northwestern Minnesota.
Storms likely Tuesday
The storm system and cold front from the west will trigger numerous scattered showers and thunderstorms across Minnesota on Tuesday. While most showers will just bring welcome rain, strong and possibly severe thunderstorms are likely to break out across eastern Minnesota and into northwestern Wisconsin later on Tuesday.
A slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe storms has been posted for Tuesday afternoon and evening from the Iron Range and Duluth areas to the Twin Cities and south to Mankato and Owatonna. The Twin Cities could see rounds of strong and possibly severe storms by early Tuesday evening.
Then turning much cooler
Cooler temperatures will slide in from the northwest behind the cold front. Expect high temperatures on Tuesday from the 70s northwest to the low 90s southeast.
Once the cooler air arrives, we should enjoy our usual comfortable September weather through next weekend and beyond. Some days will even feel chilly compared to the roasting we have been getting. But if you want more roasting, head for Texas for the sure thing.
Wildfire smoke on its way
That cooler northwest breeze will also blow Canadian wildfire smoke into Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for northwest and west central Minnesota from 6 a.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday. The air quality index is forecast to be in the moderate category, or unsafe for sensitive individuals.
Smoke will likely spread into eastern Minnesota Tuesday night. The air quality alert might be expanded farther east by Tuesday.