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Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Paul Huttner

Late September reality check

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How great was that?

Finally we got the weather timing right for most Minnesotans. The perfect July weekend, in late September.

  • 82 degrees - Friday's high temp at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (+15 degrees vs. average)

  • 83 degrees -Saturday's high temp

  • 82 degrees Sunday's high temp

Could Sunday afternoon be the last time we see Minnesota awash in red and 80 degree temps this year?

1929 sun highs
University of Illinois

Our weekend mini heat wave helped boost our September temperatures slightly above average.

  • +0.9 degrees September temps vs. average at MSP Airport through Sunday

It's also getting a little dry out there.

September rainfall is running about 2 inches below average and September marks the third straight month of below average rainfall. Yes, our pattern of wet springs and early summers in recent years continued this year. Somebody turned off the faucet in July again.

  • -1.95 inches rainfall vs. average for September at MSP

  • -1.40 inches rainfall vs. average in August

  • -1.77 inches rainfall vs. average in July

  • -5.12 inches rainfall vs. average since July 1st at MSP

Amazingly after our torrential June monsoon, some yellow is beginning to pop up on the U.S. Drought Monitor again in southern Minnesota.

1929 DM
US Drought Monitor. USDA/UNL

September reality check

Our summery weekend daydream gives way to the reality that the calendar turns to October in less than 48 hours. A cold front pushes what's left of summer south into Iowa.

Chilly Canadian high pressure noses in through tomorrow. The next low pressure wave rides in from the west tomorrow afternoon with scattered showers.

1920 allfcsts_loop_ndfd (1)
NOAA

Temperatures bounce around thought the 60s this week. Spotty showers visit today, and again late Tuesday into Wednesday.

1929 kky
Weatherspark

Overall rainfall totals look light this week. Many locations will pick up between a quarter inch and a half inch with some heavier totals favoring Wisconsin.

1920 qpf
NOAA

Stay warm as we scan the skies to see what October will bring.