After a brisk start Wednesday, highs rebound into the 70s

Northern Minnesota sees rain return by late day

After a cool but quiet start on Wednesday, warm winds pick up and a chance for showers and storms returns.

Wednesday’s forecast

Under clear skies overnight, Minnesota is starting Wednesday with cool temperatures that are slightly below average. Most of the state has lows in the 40s, with a few 30s north and a couple of low 50s lingering near the Twin Cities.

Along with the mostly clear skies, morning winds are fairly light, which lead to areas of fog in central and southern Minnesota that will lift by mid-morning.

Neither the light winds or clear skies will last through the day.

weather graphic
Wednesday evening forecast precipitation
National Weather Service

After a mostly sunny morning, clouds increase during the afternoon and evening ahead of a storm system that impacts Minnesota Thursday.

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That system will already start bringing a few showers and storms into northern Minnesota by Wednesday evening. 

It also increases winds, making it breezier in western Minnesota, and brings in a southerly flow. 

Those southerly winds plus the sunshine the first half of the day put most of Minnesota back in the mid-70s Wednesday. 

weather graphic
Wednesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

80s return to southern Minnesota Thursday, but so does a risk for severe weather across the state.

That extended forecast will be updated around 9 a.m.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.