Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Paul Huttner

Instant summer: Record warmth possible Wednesday

Twin Cities may top 83 degrees

Blue sky at the Weather Lab
Blue sky, emerging grass, and fading snow piles at the Weather Lab in the Twin Cities west metro.
Paul Huttner | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

We’re on watch for a record high temperature Wednesday across southern Minnesota. The warmest air mass in almost seven months is blowing July-like temperatures into the region.

The good news? It’s a dry heat.

The dew point as of this post in the Twin Cities is a desert dry 37 degrees. That’s close to the current dew point of 33 degrees in Phoenix.

Record highs possible Wednesday

The record high temperature for the Twin Cities Wednesday is 83 degrees set in 1931. The forecast modeled air mass over Minnesota Wednesday afternoon shows temperatures around 5,000 feet above ground level equivalent to hitting the lower 90s at ground level.

If we had summer sun intensity, I have no doubt we’d be in the 90s Wednesday in the Twin Cities. We may fall just short, but I won’t be shocked to see some locations in southern Minnesota tickle 90 degrees Wednesday afternoon.

I’ve raised my forecast to a high of 85 degrees Wednesday for the Twin Cities, and it could go higher. Here’s the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecast map for Wednesday. I think it’s a little too conservative for southern Minnesota.

Forecast high temperatures Wednesday
Forecast high temperatures Wednesday
NOAA

Grass fire season

It’s amazing how quickly we can go from blizzards to grass fire season. Fire danger is highest just southwest of Minnesota. A fire weather watch includes part of southwestern Minnesota for Wednesday.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD

419 PM CDT Tue Apr 11 2023

Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA...

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, Cottonwood, Nobles and Jackson.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 23 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Stay tuned.