Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Showers, thunderstorms and turning much cooler for Tuesday; steamy again by Friday

A long line of thunderstorms crossed Minnesota into Wisconsin Monday night. Those storms are on their way eastward across Wisconsin.

An umbrella Tuesday

More storms from the southwest have blossomed Tuesday morning.

Weather radar at approximately 8 a.m. on Tuesday
Weather radar at approximately 8 a.m. on Tuesday
Twin Cities National Weather Service

Rain and occasional thunder will continue to spread northeastward across much of the state. Southern, central and eastern sections will be the primary targets.

For the Twin Cities, that first large cluster of showers and storms has been soaking the morning commute. Then look for periods of rain and occasional thunder through most of the day.

Much of Minnesota except the northwest will get wet Tuesday.

Repeating rainfalls could bring the greatest rainfall totals to southeastern Minnesota and into Wisconsin where many locations could pick up one to two inches of rain. Some flash flooding is possible, mainly south and east of the Twin Cities.

Risk of flash flooding through 7 a.m. on Wednesday
Risk of flash flooding through 7 a.m. on Wednesday
NOAA Weather Prediction Center

Severe possibilities

While excessive rainfall with flash flooding is the main risk from this weather system, some severe weather is possible. One early report from a trained spotter was of 1-inch diameter hail 3 miles east of Vermillion in Dakota County at about 7:33 a.m.

The best chances of additional severe weather will be Tuesday afternoon or evening from southeastern Minnesota well into Wisconsin.

The yellow slight risk area indicates the chance of scattered severe storms while the green marginal risk area that includes the Twin Cities represents the possibility of isolated severe storms.

Chance of severe storms Tuesday and Tuesday night
Chance of severe storms Tuesday and Tuesday night
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm Prediction Center

Temperatures will slip downward as rain moves across the area. The Twin Cities area will cool into the 60s and remain there for Tuesday afternoon.

Beautiful Wednesday

Wednesday looks like a real winner. Expect abundant sunshine, seasonal temperatures and an absence of mugginess.

Thursday should be a great day, also, with just a few isolated thunderstorms possible.

Heat, humidity and storms by late in the week

Heat and humidity will return on Friday and hang around through the weekend.

Forecast high temperatures for Saturday
Forecast high temperatures for Saturday
NOAA Weather Prediction Center

Strong or even severe thunderstorms are possible, mainly responding to the heating of the day late on Friday and Saturday.

Weather nugget

Tuesday, July 14, is the anniversary of the hottest official temperature for the Twin Cities.

During the great heat wave of 1936, the Twin Cities baked to a record 108 degrees on this date. With little air conditioning to be had anywhere in those days, many people slept outdoors to escape the indoor heat.