Dorian is a Category 5 "catastrophic" hurricane; forecast track has been updated

Some of us could see a few minutes of rain showers this Sunday, but the bulk of the day will be rain-free. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than normal.

Temperature trends

Highs across most of Minnesota and western western Wis. are expected to reach the 70s Sunday afternoon, with some 60s in far northern Minnesota.

Labor Day highs will range from the lower 80s in far southern Minnesota to the upper 60s in the far north:

We have a shot at 80 degrees Monday afternoon in the metro area. Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the mid 70s on Tuesday, followed by around 70 Wednesday and lower 70s Thursday and Friday.

Rain chances

Scattered showers are possible in Minnesota and western Wisconsin this Sunday and Sunday evening. The rain showers aren’t expected to last very long in any one spot. Far northern Minnesota could see some large areas of showers Sunday afternoon and evening, with an isolated thunderstorm also possible. As always, updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you’ll also see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms could move into northern and west-central Minnesota Monday afternoon. Showers and t-storms will probably expand in coverage to include the rest of Minnesota plus western Wis. as we go through Monday evening and Monday night. In the Twin Cities metro area, our shower/t-storm chance on Monday will probably hold off until Monday evening.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center shows a slight risk of severe weather Monday and Monday night for much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Slight risk means that scattered severe thunderstorms are possible. Our Twin Cities metro area risk of severe weather would tend to be Monday evening or overnight Monday night. Here’s a look at the risk area and the timing of the severe risk, from the Twin Cities NWS office:

“Monday night” in NWS terminology includes the Monday evening and overnight hours. Check forecast updates.

Hurricane Dorian has reached Category 5

Hurricane Dorian’s sustained winds increased to 180 mph Sunday morning. Dorian is a Category 5 hurricane, and hurricanes of Dorian’s intensity are rare in the Atlantic:

Here is the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale that’s used by the National Hurricane Center:

The National Hurricane Center updates the Hurricane Dorian forecast track every few hours. Here’s the Sunday morning update:

The forecast graphic depicts the “cone of uncertainty” of the path of the center of Hurricane Dorian. Note that the “cone” includes the possibility of a westward shift of the track and even a Florida landfall. As of Sunday morning, hurricane warnings were in effect for the northwest Bahamas, and tropical storm warnings had been issued for portions of Florida’s east coast. Here are the main messages listed by the National Hurricane Center Sunday morning:

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.