Afternoon forecast by meteorologist Matt Serwe
Summer weather in Minnesota often comes with its share of surprises, and today is no exception. A batch of overnight storms has left behind a lingering low-pressure system across the region, and it’s throwing a wrench into what had looked like a more straightforward forecast.
That low is still spinning over parts of Minnesota, and under its influence, we’ll see more showers and scattered storms developing this afternoon, especially from the Twin Cities stretching south and east. With thicker cloud cover and periods of rain, highs today will top out in the upper 70s to low 80s (77–83°F / 25–28°C) — cooler than a typical July afternoon.
Out west, it’s a different story. Western Minnesota will enjoy more sunshine and warmer temperatures, climbing into the low to mid 80s (82–85°F / 28–29°C).
As we head into Thursday night, we’re once again in wait-and-see mode. The question is where storms will pop up and how long they’ll hang around through the morning hours. Because of today’s rain, the warm front is being held farther to the south, so the storm focus shifts accordingly. Most of the action should remain south of the metro, but a few heavier showers could sneak into the southern Twin Cities early Friday morning.
The rest of Friday looks more cooperative. Between the morning rain and the evening round of storms, there should be a clearer window for sunshine and warming, with highs pushing into the low to mid 80s (83–86°F / 28–30°C).
But the break won’t last long. Storms will redevelop late Friday, ahead of an incoming cold front. The Twin Cities should stay mostly dry through about 6:00 PM, but after that, the risk for thunderstorms, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall increases. If you’re heading to the Twins game — or planning to stick around for the Nelly concert afterward — you’ll want to keep a close eye on the sky.
While Saturday morning may start on a soggy note, the good news is the rest of the weekend looks dry, with more stable weather setting in behind the front.
