Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

A stormy and steamy few days ahead

Cooler to end the week

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High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model forecast precipitation 8 a.m. Monday through 11 p.m.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, via Pivotal Weather

We’re in for a steamy and stormy few days. We’ll have several chances of storms — some severe — especially Wednesday. It will also be hot and humid before a cool front moves in later in the week.

Hot, humid and stormy with some severe thunderstorm chances

We have some lingering shower and thunderstorm activity Monday morning. Some peeks of midday sun combined with a very muggy air mass will allow for more instability-driven, pop-up showers and thunder Monday afternoon and evening into the overnight.

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High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model forecast precipitation 8 a.m. Monday through 11 p.m.
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

Highs Monday will be mostly in the 80s with some low 90s where sun pops out in southwestern Minnesota.

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Forecast highs Monday
National Weather Service

Tuesday and Wednesday will be rather hot and humid. Highs both days will be near 90 degrees with mid-90s possible west combined with dew points near 70 degrees.

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Forecast highs Tuesday and Wednesday
National Weather Service

Global wet bulb temperature, a better measure of heat stress, will be in the 80s both afternoons. That is a high risk of heat stress — the potential temperature skin can cool to given the sunlight, wind, temperature and dew points.

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Forecast afternoon global wet bulb temperatures
NOAA, via WeatherBell Analytics

We’ll have more chances of thunderstorms Tuesday night into early Wednesday mainly in northern and western Minnesota. Whatever holds together will move into eastern Minnesota early Wednesday. Tuesday afternoon could also yield isolated activity statewide.

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Rapid Refresh Forecast System model forecast precipitation 5 p.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m. Wednesday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

There’s a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe storms in western Minnesota Tuesday and Tuesday night with an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) in northwestern Minnesota.

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Severe weather outlook for Tuesday into early Wednesday
Iowa Environmental Mesonet / Iowa State University

We’re really focused on late Wednesday as a potent upper-low and cold front combined with lots of heat and moisture could produce a significant severe weather risk. Storms will develop later in the day Wednesday into the overnight Wednesday night.

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Rapid Refresh Forecast System model forecast precipitation 7 a.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Thursday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather

There’s an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms Wednesday into Wednesday night. All hazards are possible from tornadoes to damaging wind gusts and large hail.

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Severe weather outlook for Wednesday into Wednesday night
Iowa State University Environmental Mesonet

Behind the front, temperatures will dip into the 70s and low 80s along with a drop in dew points from a tropical 70 degrees back into the comfortable 50s for Thursday.