Hot, dry weather and wildfire smoke are elevating ground-level ozone across most of Minnesota today.

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Sunny and muggy conditions to round out our Saturday forecast. Dewpoints in the mid 60s for the metro area, and even upper 60s to low 70s observed for southern Minnesota. Not much of a relief in the forecast for temperatures tonight as we drop into the low 70s, with mainly clear skies. 

Sunday’s temperatures will top out in the lower 90s, but with dew points in the 70s expected, heat indices will range between 100-110 degrees. 

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Twin Cities area Sunday and Monday. 

“...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM CDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 108 expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest, and west central Minnesota. * WHEN...From 1 PM to 8 PM CDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.” 

A heat advisory is in effect for large portions of central and southern Minnesota. 

“...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM CDT SUNDAY... ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... * WHAT...For the Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 99 expected. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 103 possible.”

With this level of heat it is important to drink plenty of fluids (water or electrolyte drinks are best), stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, limit outdoor exposure.

Monday appears to be the hottest day of the year with highs in the low to mid 90s, and dew points in the low to mid 70s. 

Multiple chances for precipitation; severe possible

Isolated rain chances still in the forecast for tonight, mainly across southeastern MN. A large majority of the Twin Cities will remain dry. 

Our attention turns to Sunday evening into late Sunday night with the potential for severe across the Dakotas into northwestern Minnesota. The Storm Prediction Center has a slight risk for northwestern Minnesota. If these storms can hold together, they could track into central Minnesota by early Monday morning. 

A cold front will trigger showers and thunderstorms Monday afternoon into Monday night. The SPC has a slight risk on Monday for central and southern Minnesota including the metro area. The main threat will be large hail and damaging winds. 

Post cold front our temperatures and humidity will trend downward. Tuesdays highs in the 80s, followed by the 70s for the second half of the work week. Another chance for some showery activity is possible Tuesday. We remain cool for the start of meteorological fall next weekend. 

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Excessive heat warnings and watches are out for the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Temperatures ramp up to the 90s with dew points in the 70s possible. Multiple chances for severe thunderstorms this week. 

Heating up with severe weather possible

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