Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Warm and quiet Saturday ahead of much-needed rain

Severe storm threat builds for Sunday into Monday

Surface analysis for Saturday 7 p.m.
Surface analysis for Saturday 7 p.m.
NOAA via Weather Prediction Center

Saturday will bring sunshine and another day of warm temperatures across Minnesota before multiple rounds of thunderstorms move into the region Sunday and Monday. A growing threat for severe weather builds for Sunday into Monday.

Quiet, warm Saturday; severe weather to follow

Saturday will feature plenty of sunshine and temperatures climbing into the low 70s in northern Minnesota, with many locations across central and southern Minnesota reaching around 80 degrees.

Farther north, highs will stay in the 50s and 60s. While humidity levels remain very low for one more day, lighter winds should help limit fire weather concerns compared to recent days.

Highs for Saturday
Highs for Saturday
National Weather Service

Our attention quickly turns to a much more active weather pattern for the second half of the weekend and early next week. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected Sunday through Monday, with the greatest threat for severe weather arriving Sunday evening and again Monday afternoon into Monday night.

Sunday temperatures will warm into the 50s and 60s across northern Minnesota, with 70s to near 80 degrees expected farther south.

Highs for Sunday
Highs for Sunday
National Weather Service

The Storm Prediction Center highlights southwestern Minnesota in an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms, with a slight risk extending across the southern two-thirds of the state.

Severe weather threat for Sunday
Severe weather threat for Sunday
NOAA via Storm Prediction Center

Initial storm development will carry the potential for large hail (greater than an inch in diameter) along with isolated tornadoes. As the evening progresses, storms are expected to merge into a line and race east across Minnesota and Wisconsin overnight.

Once this transition to a more organized line occurs, damaging straight-line winds will become the primary threat Sunday night.

Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight Monday
Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight Monday
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Monday’s severe weather chances will depend heavily on how Sunday night’s storms evolve. Additional thunderstorms may redevelop Monday afternoon and evening, with another risk for severe weather possible.

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

At this time, the greatest threat Monday appears more likely across Iowa and southern Wisconsin, though parts of southern Minnesota could still see strong to severe storms.

In addition to the severe weather potential, this system will also bring much-needed rainfall to the region. Many areas could receive 1 to 2 inches of rain between Sunday and Tuesday, with isolated higher totals possible where repeated rounds of thunderstorms occur.

Rainfall estimates through Tuesday
Rainfall estimates through Tuesday
National Weather Service

Once this active stretch moves out, quieter and cooler weather is expected for the middle of next week, with temperatures returning to more seasonable levels.