Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Overnight storm chances with marginal severe weather threat

Temperatures seasonal heading into next week

Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 9 a.m.
Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 9 a.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Minnesota remains locked into a somewhat active weather pattern, bringing periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms through the upcoming week. While there will be several opportunities for rain, there will also be plenty of dry hours mixed in. Temperatures are expected to stay close to seasonal averages through midweek before trending slightly cooler by next weekend.

Storm chances increase Saturday night into Sunday

After a pleasant August day, precipitation moves back into the forecast Saturday night. The greatest chance for rain and storms will develop late Saturday night and continue into early Sunday morning. A developing area of low pressure over the Dakotas, combined with increasing dew points and strengthening low-level winds, will provide the ingredients needed for thunderstorms to form across eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota before tracking southeastward.

Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 9 a.m.
Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 9 a.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

There remains a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for mainly southwestern, southeastern and southern Minnesota. The main concerns will be strong winds, hail, lightning and heavy rainfall.

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

As the Sunday morning storms move east, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms may linger into Sunday, particularly eastern Minnesota. Even so, much of the day will not be a washout, with dry periods expected between any passing showers.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday appears to be the quietest day of the forecast period. Expect near-normal temperatures, a mix of sun and clouds, and generally pleasant conditions. Another disturbance is expected to arrive Tuesday, bringing the next chance for showers and thunderstorms.