Sunshine, highs in the 80s: Classic August weather kicks in

We’re rolling through the second week of August.

This is time of year in Minnesota when summer typically mellows into lazy blue sky days with highs in the lower to mid-80s. The average high and low for the Twin Cities this week are 82 and 64 degrees.

This week’s weather maps look pretty classic for early August. And many of us, our trees, lawns, and farm fields can enjoy our bluebird skies after some significant soaking rains last weekend.

Here’s another look at the much-needed rainfall totals from the past weekend. A band of 1.5 to more than 2 inches fell across the southern Twin Cities. Rainfall totals from 2 to more than 4 inches fell west and south of the Twin Cities from Willmar to Olivia, and across parts of southern Minnesota on either side of the Interstate 90 corridor.

Pleasantly warm

The peak of summer’s worst heat is usually behind us now. We still likely sweat through a few more days at or above 90, but the chances of hitting 100 degrees again drop significantly as August deepens.

Highs Wednesday and the rest of this week will reach the 80s across most of southern and western Minnesota with some 70s up north.

Our next rain chance arrives Thursday night into Friday for much of central Minnesota. Many forecast models paint a band of thunderstorms overnight Thursday night into Friday morning along or parallel to the Interstate 94 corridor between the Twin Cities and Fargo, N.D.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model suggests an inch of rain is possible along and between the I-94 corridor and the Minnesota River Valley.

I savor these late summer days. While they last.