Heat wave ends but drought risk climbs quickly

There aren’t many chances ahead for heavy rain. Slightly lower temperatures will help slow evaporation, but we need more rain as soon as possible.

Cold front brings some heat relief

We said goodbye to the 90s late Monday evening as a cold front swept through.

I was talking Tuesday with my MPR News colleagues, meteorologists Mandy Thalhuber and Sven Sundgaard, about how much more pleasant it feels in Minnesota after days of sweltering humidity. Mandy was bragging about her porch and the sweeping breeze. Call me jealous!

The cooler weather won’t last the entire week, so soak up the cooler, light breeze while you still can.

Wednesday is really mild with temperatures well below average all across Minnesota. There may be a tiny stripe of rain in the Arrowhead Wednesday and Thursday, but the rest of the state remains dry.

There is a chance for rain on Saturday in areas of Minnesota that could really use it:

Something else we’ll keep an eye on is the potential for rapid onset drought. Without much rain chance for western Minnesota and into the Dakotas, plus higher heat coming, drought in the shallow layers of the soil is troubling to meteorologists.