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Fair weather ahead: Expect warmth, sun opening day at Minnesota State Fair

People enter a gate festooned with many banners
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world. This year's fair starts Thursday and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 1.
Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair

Get ready for a fantastic opening day at the Minnesota State Fair! With warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine on the way, Thursday’s shaping up to be the perfect day to enjoy all the fun, food and festivities. Here’s what the weather will look like hour by hour.

Warm and sticky

High pressure continues to strengthen over Lake Superior, bringing plenty of sunshine and light winds for Thursday’s Minnesota State Fair opening day.

Surface analysis for Thursday
Surface analysis for Thursday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Prediction Center

Temperatures will warm into the upper 70s to low 80s across the eastern half of the state with some warmer mid-80s expected out west.

Highs on Thursday
Highs on Thursday
National Weather Service

It’s not only our fair food that will be sticky, but our dew points as well. Afternoon dew points are expected to reach the mid to upper 60s, with some oppressive low 70s out west.

Thursday afternoon dew points
Thursday afternoon dew points
National Weather Service

Here’s an hour-by-hour breakdown of Thursday’s forecast, including temperature, dew points, wind speed and direction, sky cover, and more.

Thursday hourly forecast
Thursday hourly forecast
NOAA Impact-Based Decision Support Services

Dew points will remain in the mid-60s for opening day, with minimal cloud cover, light southerly winds and temperatures rising into the low 80s by Thursday afternoon.

Here’s to a fantastic first day at the Great Minnesota Get-Together!