Another hot day Tuesday for southern Minnesota with more storms developing

There will be a big contrast in temperatures across the state as a frontal boundary slides south. More storms develop with heavy rain potential in southern Minnesota into Tuesday night. 

A hot Tuesday south of a front that will generate more storms 

It’s going to be another hot day for southern Minnesota while northern Minnesota barely reaches 70 degrees in some spots. The big divide is due to a slow-moving cool front. There’s a heat advisory for the seven-county Twin Cities metro area from noon through 8 p.m.

That front will produce more showers and storms for the afternoon into Tuesday night and Wednesday as it slowly moves east. An upper level disturbance will give another boost to the rainfall Wednesday.

There’s a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for potential severe storms for northeast and southwest Minnesota and a marginal (1 of 5) risk elsewhere. The main threat will come from large hail and damaging wind gusts Tuesday afternoon and evening with a diminishing risk overnight.

An air quality alert also continues for northern Minnesota Tuesday due to Canadian wildfire smoke that will blow back in.

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

We’ll need to monitor the potential for heavy rain in portions of central Minnesota due to the slow-moving nature of the rain and storms that develop combined with ample moisture. Most will see anywhere from 1 to 2 inches, but there will be locally higher amounts or 3 to 4 inches or more in isolated pockets that will be difficult to pinpoint.

Where storms initially develop will factor into who gets the most rainfall.

There’s a slight risk for excessive rainfall along the frontal boundary through central Minnesota. There’s also a flood watch for east-central Minnesota (Pine County) into northwestern Wisconsin.

On-and-off scattered showers will persist on Wednesday but the rain will generally be lighter than what we see Tuesday night. Showers will taper off in northeast Minnesota Wednesday night.

Wednesday will also be much cooler due to the clouds and showers. Highs will range from near 80 degrees along the Minnesota and Iowa border to just the 60s north.

Clouds move out Thursday, making for a pleasant but cool afternoon. Dew points will also drop Thursday. The next chance of rain develops late Friday into Friday night, moving out mostly for the weekend.