Another round of needed rain on Tuesday

Minnesota can expect one more day of scattered showers and storms before a significant shift in our weather pattern turns the state much drier again.

Monday night and Tuesday

The state has been under the influence of an upper-level trough of lower pressure since the weekend, which has kept enough instability across Minnesota for the scattered showers and storms we have seen since Saturday.

Because of this, there are once again showers and storms across Minnesota as of 5:30 p.m. Monday evening.  

This activity will diminish during the overnight, then become more widespread again during the afternoon and evening hours Tuesday.

The rain is then likely to end altogether by late Tuesday as the lower pressure that has been influencing the weather finally shifts to the east.

Rain totals continue to be hit and miss in the meantime, with most places under a quarter-inch, but higher amounts of a half-inch or more with heavier storms. Severe weather remains unlikely.

Tuesday will start in the 50s and 60s, with near-average highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s.

Hot by the holiday

The return of drier weather means more sunshine through the end of the week. Highs around the state remain predominantly in the 80s through Friday. However, as high pressure builds over the region, heat also starts to build. There could be a couple 90s in western Minnesota already Friday, and much of state may see 90s by Independence Day, which falls on Sunday.
Here is that forecast for the Twin Cities:

The heat is likely to linger into at least early next week. 

Dry weather also prevails, with limited rain chances after Tuesday until at least the middle of next week.

The combination of hot and dry weather is likely to intensify the drought conditions most of Minnesota is already under.

Programming note

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