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Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Ben Cathey

Showers looking more limited. You'll need the sprinkler

Saturday and Tuesday raindrops are lighter, broad level

Late August dry period
The stretch from Aug. 21-27 should be more dry than normal. It could also be hotter than normal then, so there could be a lot of corn sweat!
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center

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Central and northern Minnesota have the best chances for several rounds of showers Saturday. Sunday looks dry. A cooldown is expected into the middle of next week.

Rain chances Saturday

Far southern Minnesota woke to some sprinkles Friday morning, but otherwise rain is limited. We could have a few more isolated rumbles of thunder. It’s about time to unfurl the garden hose. Soil moisture across much of Minnesota is really low.

Friday evening’s weather will be beautiful for most of Minnesota. The mosquito count is pretty low, air quality remains excellent and water temperatures are fairly mild at 69 to 75 degrees in most Minnesota lakes.

Be really careful on Lake Superior. Outside of the breakwaters, there is some serious chop and even a beach hazard statement for strong rip currents.

Low temps tonight
Here are the low temperatures across Minnesota for Saturday from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh maps.
NOAA
High temps Saturday
Here are the high temperatures across Minnesota for Saturday from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh maps.
NOAA

Saturday’s long been the main event for rain chances this week. I think central and northern have by far the best chances of a solid round or three of showers on Saturday, from midday through evening.

It will be colder as a consequence in northern Minnesota. The map below from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System shows that trend.

Rain heavier north Saturday
While the Twin Cities may still get a few rain showers, the best totals are still going to be in the northern parts of Minnesota.
National Weather Service

Friday afternoon data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts does show several tenths of an inch of rain all across Minnesota on Saturday. If we can muster rain around the Cities, it’s most likely in the morning.

We do expect some clearing for the southern half of Minnesota Saturday, hence the much-warmer conditions in southern cities. Sunday dries out across most of the region, and the heat dome begins to show some signs of cracking.

We’ve really been spared from the latest heat wave. The weather was much, much hotter farther south of Iowa.

Rain amounts higher north
Rain should be solid in the northern areas, aiding efforts to fight wildfires in the Boundary Waters.
NOAA

Monday night through next Wednesday morning is my big hope for heavier rains. I say that because I’ve been burned by wishcasting for drought-clearing rains before. This far out, big synoptic systems are never a guarantee but the weather maps have long held rain.

The front is likely to arrive in northwestern Minnesota on Monday evening, stalling out in the middle of Minnesota overnight into Tuesday morning. Then it blows through on Wednesday. If you’re wanting rain, this would be an ideal setup for you.

That also sets up a secondary cooldown into the middle of next week. Have a great weekend!