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There could be a couple of raindrops later Friday into early Saturday but the looming story is the heat next week across Minnesota.

“If I could bottle this up, I’d be rich!” That’s basically the forecast for Thursday all across Minnesota. The weather is tranquil, although the UV index is remarkably high so pack the sunscreen. 

Friday could bring a few tiny showers to the far north of Minnesota, but most parts of the state stay dry through dusk. 

The heat is coming. Temperature trends are climbing. An extreme heat watch is posted for Sunday in northwestern Minnesota. More alerts are likely to be added as the heat rises. We often see the extreme heat start to pull back at the last moment, but not this round.

The sunshine is back on Saturday, and we’re simply baking. Daytime hours should be dry. Most parts of Minnesota will be in the upper 80s with some in the 90s.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model both show a few overnight showers bouncing around Minnesota from Saturday night late into early Sunday morning. 

The National Weather Service offices responsible for Minnesota are all cautioning about the heat Sunday and beyond. (Check out the report for the Twin Cities and areas of southern and western Minnesota in the graphic at the top of the post.)

It won’t be just a southern Minnesota concern. Here’s the guidance for northwestern Minnesota …

Most models show dry weather until at least Wednesday afternoon. Mid-90s are a safe bet in many areas of Minnesota next week. The question is who will see rain next and when? 

There’s certainly a looming threat of flash drought in north-central Minnesota we will need to watch closely. Looking at 

Thursday’s drought conditions report for Minnesota

, I was shocked  that there was not more improvement from the prior week. 

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center sees “an 81% chance of a very strong

 during October-December that would rank among the largest El Niño events in the historical record going back to 1950.”

Impacts will be greatest this winter. The Climate Prediction Center sees a 97 percent chance of the 

 continuing into early 2027. So it’s coming!

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ben Cathey

Author

There could be a couple of raindrops later Friday into early Saturday but the looming story is the heat next week across Minnesota.


Extreme heat Sunday into next week across Minnesota

minnesota faces high heat into next week july 9 2026

Extreme heat Sunday into next week across Minnesota

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