Turning cooler this week; widespread rain Wednesday

Cooler, drier air has arrived. Monday will bring a mix of clouds and sun to Minnesota with the sunniest skies in the western half of the state.

Widespread rain in Missouri and Iowa will catch southeastern Minnesota, especially Houston, Fillmore and Winona Counties, on its way into much of Wisconsin.

Monday’s high temperatures will be mainly in the 60s while the southwest might touch 70. Coolest highs will be upper 50s in the cloudy northeast and southeast tips of the state.

The Twin Cities should be mostly cloudy with a high near 67 — well warmer than our average high of 61. The last time the Twin Cities did not warm to at least 70 was more than two weeks ago on Sept. 25. Winds will be light.

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Comfortable Tuesday

The latest forecast models are keeping some clouds around for eastern Minnesota on Tuesday. A few isolated sprinkles are possible in that part of the state.

Soggy midweek

A major rain-making weather system will build into the Northern Great Plains on Tuesday and deepen. Rain will advance into Minnesota Tuesday night and continue on Wednesday.

Widespread rainfall amounts in excess of one-half inch are possible, but I will note that forecast models have often over-forecast rainfall amounts for our area during this past warm season.

Rain forecast for Tuesday night-Wednesday
Rain forecast for Tuesday night-Wednesday
Twin Cities National Weather Service

Sweatshirt weather later in the week

Temperatures will feel much more like October later this week. Look for highs in the 40s and 50s for Thursday and Friday.

Next weekend is likely to be a pleasant one with seasonable temperatures.

Forecast high temperatures for Saturday
Forecast high temperatures for Saturday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Prediction Center

Warming up again later this month?

Long-range forecast models are painting a good chance of a lengthy stretch of widespread warmer-than-normal temperatures beginning in about a week.

8-14 day temperature outlook
8-14 day temperature outlook
NOAA Climate Prediction Center