Minnesota lakes are at their warmest

This is a great week to enjoy area lakes, which are at their warmest of the summer right now, just watch for occasional showers and storms, especially in northern Minnesota.

Lake temperatures

Water warms and cools much more slowly than the air does, so despite average temperatures in Minnesota being at their warmest in July, lake temperatures are at their warmest now. This is especially noticeable along the North Shore, where near Duluth, Lake Superior water temperature went from the lower 40s in mid-June, to about 65 now.

Here are some of the other temperature differences versus two months ago:

Wednesday’s forecast

Temperatures Wednesday started off slightly warmer compared to Tuesday morning, with most of the state in the 50s and 60s. The entire day stays above average, with highs in the 80s for much of Minnesota and 70s in the Arrowhead.

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weather graphic — Wednesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

For most of the state, including the Twin Cities, Wednesday will be another quiet and mostly sunny day.

However, instability impacting northern Minnesota is bringing showers and storms across northwestern Minnesota as of 9 a.m., and those storms continue east through the day.

There have already been some isolated strong storms bringing hail, and that severe weather potential shifts to the Arrowhead later Wednesday with both an isolated high wind and large hail risk.

Extended forecast

Those very isolated shower and storms chances continue Thursday, especially in northern Minnesota. Outside of any spotty rain, mostly sunny skies continue.

A cold front then moves through the state Friday into Saturday, bringing a more widespread chance for showers and storms across the state. However, severe weather chances remain limited, and rainfall will be lower, with much of the state seeing less than one-half inch of rain.

The timing for the Twin Cities currently looks like scatter showers or storms possible form Friday night through Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, temperatures slowly creep warmer ahead of the front, with much of the state in the 80s.

Here is that temperature trend for the Twin Cities:

Behind the front, temperatures cool slightly, putting most of the state in the 70s or low 80s over the weekend.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.