Storms Friday may bring soaking rain to Minnesota's worst drought areas

Hot and humid weather lingers until Friday, then temperatures plunge by the weekend. The same front ushering in cooler air also brings both needed rain and a severe weather risk.

Wednesday’s forecast

Wednesday started off warm and muggy, with most of the state in the upper 60s and low 70s.

Almost all of Minnesota can expect highs in the 90s again, putting most places 10 to 20 degrees above average.

Dew points stay in the 60s and humidity stays higher in southern and western Minnesota, however portions of northern Minnesota will only have dew points in the 50s.

That lower humidity combined with the heat and breezy southerly winds means yet another day of elevated fire risk in northern Minnesota.

With the Greenwood Fire continuing to burn in Superior National Forest and the resulting smoke, surrounding areas are under an air quality that has been extended through Friday.

Otherwise, skies stay mostly sunny and dry through the day.

Extended forecast

Minnesota remains hot and humid through Thursday with highs predominantly in the 90s. Morning lows also stay warmer, with more of the state in the 70s through Friday morning.

Friday continues to be muggy and warm with most highs dropping slightly, into the mid and upper 80s, due to more clouds and rain along with a cold front moving in.

Behind Friday’s front, temperatures dive below average for mid-August, with highs in the 70s and a few 60s north by Saturday.

Here are the forecast highs for the Twin Cities showing that dramatic temperature drop by the weekend.

The weather stays predominantly dry through Thursday evening when a few showers and storms make their way into northwestern Minnesota.

Widely scattered thunderstorms move across the state Friday, as an area of low pressure moves north of Minnesota and sweeps a cold front across the state. 

The storm could produce some areas of heavy rain, and scattered severe storms are likely, especially in the evening and early overnight hours Friday.

Much of Minnesota can expect at least a quarter-inch of rain, but given the track of the storm, western Minnesota is expected to see higher amounts, and a large part of northwestern Minnesota may see over an inch of rain. 

This will be very beneficial as northwestern Minnesota is seeing some of the most extreme areas of drought. 

Spotty precipitation chances continue into early next week.  This includes another round of widespread showers and storms that looks likely Sunday afternoon into the overnight. 

That storm may not bring as much rain as Friday’s event, but the combined rainfall chances mean most of the state can expect at least a half of inch of rain by Monday morning. 

In western Minnesota, even higher precipitation is expected, with many totals over an inch likely.

Programming note

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