A hot Saturday, some Sunday thunderstorms

This is the summery weather that some people dream about during our wintry cold spells. Heat and humidity, with some hazy sunshine.

Other people prefer 80 degrees and low humidity. If that is you, just wait a few days!

Hot again south

Highs today will poke into the lower 90s over southern Minnesota:

Central Minnesota will see 80s, and the far north will top out in the upper 70s.

An isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible over northern Minnesota, and the far southwest could see one later this afternoon.

Sunday thunder

There is a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Sunday, and a good chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday night.

Here is the forecast rainfall pattern, from today through Sunday night, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale Forecast System (NAM):

In the Twin Cities, our best chance of thunderstorms will be Sunday evening and Sunday night.

Some severe thunderstorms will be possible. The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service indicates a slight risk of severe weather over much of Minnesota for Sunday and Sunday night:

If you are traveling Sunday afternoon and evening, it would be good to keep track of which county you are in, since severe weather warnings are issued by county.

Cooler for some

Highs on Sunday drop back into the 80s over east central and southeastern Minnesota:

Southwestern Minnesota will see 90s again.

The Twin Cities will have highs in the 80s Sunday and Monday, then 70s Tuesday and Wednesday.

Health advisory

Sunshine, very warm temperatures and light winds will result in elevated levels of ground level ozone over southern Minnesota today, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The MPCA has issued an air pollution health advisory, valid through 9 p.m., for much of southern Minnesota:

According to the MPCA :

Ozone pollution is expected to near a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Those sensitive to ozone include people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, the elderly, children, and individuals who participate in outdoor activities requiring extended or heavy exertion. These individuals are encouraged to postpone or reduce vigorous outdoor activity, or schedule outdoor activity in the morning, when ozone levels are lower.

You can check the current air quality index here .

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates weekend mornings at 7:35 a.m. on Minnesota Public Radio.