Thunderstorm chances ramp up by Monday evening; lots of 70s this week
Above-normal temps next weekend
Our weather will be pleasant through much of Monday, then many areas will see late-day thunderstorms.
An approaching cold front is expected to ignite some showers and t-storms in western Minnesota by late Monday afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to expand into much of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin Monday evening, then continue into the overnight hours of Monday night.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast model shows the potential rain pattern Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning:
The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service shows a marginal risk of severe weather Monday afternoon into Monday night for South Dakota, the southern half of Minnesota, plus central and southern Wisconsin and northern Iowa:
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Marginal risk mean that an isolated severe t-storm is possible.
The Storm Prediction Center noted on Sunday that the severe weather outlook may include a slight risk area when it is updated early Monday:
Will maintain MRGL risk for this outlook given lingering mesoscale uncertainties, but an upgrade to SLGT risk might be warranted in day 1 updates.
You can hear updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the Minnesota Public Radio network, and you can see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.
Temperature trends
Our average Twin Cities high temp is 74 degrees on Sept. 13. Much of the metro area will top out in the mid 70s on Monday. Most of Minnesota and western Wisconsin will have Monday highs in the 70s, with 60s in parts of northeastern Minnesota:
Monday dew points will be mainly in the comfortable 40s and 50s:
Back to forecast high temps, Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the lower 70s Tuesday, followed by mid 70s Wednesday and around 80 on Thursday. Highs then retreat to the mid 70s on Friday.
Above-normal temps are expected next weekend and into the beginning of the following week. The NWS Climate Prediction Center shows a tendency for above-normal temps in Minnesota and western Wisconsin from Sept. 18 through Sept. 22:
How fast do we cool down?
Our average Twin Cities high temp is 75 degrees on Sept. 12. That average high temp drops to 67 degrees by Sept. 30. On the last day of October, our average Twin Cities high temp is 50 degrees. So, between today and the end of October, our average Twin Cities high temp drops 25 degrees!
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.