Pleasant late-May week coming; just spotty showers possible

Our beautiful weekend certainly brought out the neighbors and many lawn chairs. According to my weather records, it was our first really pleasant total weekend since October.

That warmth will continue for Monday and Tuesday as our afternoon temperatures run about 10 degrees warmer than normal, before a brief midweek cooldown. Additional warmth will return for Memorial Day weekend.

Expect high temperatures on Monday in the upper 70s in the northeastern and southeastern corners of Minnesota such as around Ely and Rochester, respectively, and across western Wisconsin, including River Falls and New Richmond.

Most of Minnesota will have highs in the 80s with the Twin Cities reaching about 82 if enough sunshine penetrates the wildfire smoke aloft. The cooler North Shore will stay in the 60s as the south wind blows off Lake Superior. Light winds statewide should minimize our wildfire danger.

Toasty Tuesday

Tuesday will be a couple degrees warmer. The Twin Cities should have a high around 84.

Isolated afternoon and evening showers are likely to percolate in northern Minnesota both Monday and Tuesday in response to daytime heating.

Cold front cooldown midweek

A weak cold front from the northeast, what’s called a “backdoor cold front,” will trigger more isolated showers in northern Minnesota Tuesday night and then farther south on Wednesday. There is a slight chance a shower or two could reach the Twin Cities on Wednesday.

Cooler easterly breezes behind the front will bring us near-normal temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday. High temperatures should be in the 60s and 70s. Wednesday looks like the coolest day this week. Thursday should be a bit warmer.

Warm again later in the week

Temperatures will continue warming as we head toward Memorial weekend.