Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Hazy skies ahead as temperatures climb

Heat holds on with 80s and 90s through Monday

Air-quality alert
Air-quality alert
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Hazy skies are ahead as temperatures climb, with wildfire smoke continuing to blanket much of the state. An air-quality alert remains in effect through Monday at 6 p.m. Temperatures will heat up over the weekend and into early next week, with highs in the 80s and 90s expected across the region.

Hazy skies ahead

Air-quality concerns persist due to ongoing wildfire smoke. A statewide air-quality alert is in effect through Monday at 6 p.m.

Air-quality alert
Air-quality alert
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Forecast models are detecting the potential for surface-based smoke to impact air quality and visibility in the coming days.

Near-surface smoke density
Near-surface smoke density
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Check the latest air quality conditions, alerts and forecast here:

The thick layer of smoke kept temperatures a few degrees cooler on Friday, but warming is still expected with highs reaching the low 80s in the metro area and the lower to mid-80s further west. The Red River Valley could even see a few readings near 90 degrees.

Highs for Saturday
Highs for Saturday
National Weather Service

Low temperatures will drop into the upper 50s across many areas, with cooler readings in the mid-40s expected in northeastern Minnesota.

Lows for Saturday night
Lows for Saturday night
National Weather Service

Smoky skies will persist through Sunday and Monday as a ridge of high pressure brings the warmest weather of the week.

Highs for Sunday will warm into the upper 80s to low 90s.

Highs for Sunday
Highs for Sunday
National Weather Service

The metro area has another chance to reach 90 degrees on Monday, marking only the second time this year. Forecast highs near 92 degrees could come close to breaking the record of 93 degrees.

Increased chance of showers and thunderstorms

After the heat, a strong cold front will bring the return of showers and thunderstorms to the state for late Monday. A marginal risk of severe weather is possible with the strongest storms remaining out west in South Dakota. Some of the storms that initiate in the Dakotas, could migrate into western Minnesota by late Monday.

Severe weather risk for Monday
Severe weather risk for Monday
NOAA via Storm Prediction Center

A cold front will bring cooler temperatures by midweek, leading to a calm and quiet end to the workweek.

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