Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

A beautiful end to August; fall changes ahead

Temperatures dive midweek with cold front

Temperature anomalies Thursday 4 a.m.
Temperature anomalies Thursday 4 a.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

After a perfect end to August, with sunshine and seasonable temperatures, a major pattern shift is on the way. A potent cold front will move through the region late Tuesday, bringing widespread light rain, gusty north-northwest winds, and a sharp drop in temperatures.

Long streak of “perfect” weather

Meteorological summer ends on Sunday, and this season couldn’t be wrapping up on a more perfect note. Seasonable temperatures in the 70s, paired with sunshine and light winds, will carry through Labor Day as high pressure remains anchored over the Great Lakes region.

Highs for Monday
Highs for Monday
National Weather Service

Clear skies and light winds will carry us through Sunday night, setting the stage for areas of patchy fog to develop by Monday morning. Overnight lows will dip into the mid to upper 50s.

Lows for Sunday night
Lows for Sunday night
National Weather Service

Midweek fall preview

A potent cold front will swing through late Tuesday afternoon and evening, ushering in breezy north-northwest winds and a distinctly fall-like airmass. Temperatures will drop into the 50s and 60s for daytime highs, with overnight lows falling into the 30s and 40s—some of the coolest air we've seen since May.

Temperatures Tuesday through Thursday
Temperatures Tuesday through Thursday
NOAA via College of DuPage Weather

Widespread precipitation is expected with the front; however, rainfall amounts will remain light, generally under half an inch, and no severe weather is anticipated.

Forecast precipitation Tuesday 7 a.m. to Wednesday 7 a.m.
Forecast precipitation Tuesday 7 a.m. to Wednesday 7 a.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Our temperature anomaly map for early Thursday morning shows readings trending more than 20 degrees below normal.

Temperature anomalies Thursday 4 a.m.
Temperature anomalies Thursday 4 a.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

The chill in the air won’t last long, as temperatures gradually rebound into the 60s by late next week and into the weekend.