Summery weather returns; heavy rainfall possible Friday

Most of Minnesota needs rain. That should be the focus of any weather forecast discussion until Minnesota’s expanding drought improves. A few lucky spots got more than an inch of rain Saturday, but significant rainfall coverage was localized.

Warmer week ahead

Our latest cool front delivered a delightful air mass to Minnesota, but it is one of the driest on record for this time of year.

Typically, we might expect dew points in the 60s by this time in June. However, our current air mass delivered just 34 one-hundredths (.34) of an inch of precipitable water to Minnesota Sunday into Monday. The average for this time of year is closer to 80 to 90 one-hundredths of an inch of precipitable water.

We’ll enjoy one more cool comfortable night across Minnesota. Overnight lows in the 50s mean free air conditioning and good sleeping weather once again.

Look for mostly sunny and warmer days through Thursday. Highs will reach the 80s again Tuesday across most of Minnesota.

You’ll notice the heat ramping up Wednesday and Thursday. Highs will push the 90-degree mark in parts of western and southern Minnesota later this week.

Heavy rain possible Friday

Friday brings the next best chance for significant rainfall. Most forecast models crank out some localized but heavy thunderstorms along a passing front Friday.

Don’t take the timing or positioning here as gospel but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model cranks up some heavy thunder cells Friday.

It’s still too early for high confidence, but models from NOAA and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts hint at localized multi-inch rainfall again Friday.

Stay tuned.