Needed rain targets Minnesota over the weekend

Another day of heat contributes to fire concerns Friday. Then, the recent hot pattern so far this June finally takes a significantly cooler twist, with a storm that could also impact Father’s Day plans.

Friday’s forecast

The storm that brought a few showers and storms around Minnesota from late Wednesday into Thursday has moved off, and the state is started Friday dry and mild, with morning lows predominantly in the 50s and 60s. 

Under mostly sunny skies, the day turns hot with much of the state in the 80s, and southern Minnesota back in the 90s. 

Northern Minnesota stays cooler and in the 70s thanks to a cold front that will sweep north to south during the day, so the cooler air impacts northern Minnesota already Friday, while the rest of the state sees a temperature drop Saturday.

That front is also bringing windy conditions as it advances, so much of Minnesota can expect gusty winds up to 30 mph by the afternoon and evening. 

The combination of warm weather, dry conditions and low humidity, and gusty winds will cause fire risk to increase again.

Most of central Minnesota is under a red flag warning Friday afternoon, and portions of the Arrowhead not already in the red flag warning have a fire weather watch.

Additionally, the cold front brings enough instability that there could be a few isolated showers or storms Friday evening into the overnight, but no significant rain is expected.

Big changes in the June pattern

June’s weather so far has been marked by record-setting heat, and that hot weather has also helped intensify drought conditions around the state.

Behind Friday’s cold front, all of Minnesota can expect more seasonable June highs on Saturday, in the 70s and low 80s. It also stays mostly sunny, so the weather will cooperate for any outdoor activities, including Juneteenth celebrations. 

The weather Sunday is not expected to be so accommodating for outdoor plans. 

Already by Saturday evening, a storm system starts pushing into western Minnesota that spreads showers and storms across the state by Sunday morning. Although there will be some breaks, much of the day stays wet until the weather system starts clearing out late Sunday.

While this is likely to impact some Father’s Day plans, the rain brings desperately needed precipitation given the dry conditions throughout the state. 

Most of Minnesota can expect at least a quarter to a half an inch of rain, with some localized spots that could see an inch or more.  For much of Minnesota, this may end up being one of the bigger rainfalls so far this very dry June.

The storm also brings the coolest weather of the month for many places.  Highs already drop into the 60s for northern Minnesota on Sunday, and by Monday, most of the state is stuck in the 60s.

Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:

In almost all of central and southern Minnesota, that would make Monday the first time this entire June with daily temperatures (highs and lows combined) below average!

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.