Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Friday's fall color update; weekend weather

Warm, sunny conditions continue for last September weekend

Trees with orange, yellow and green leaves near a dirt road.
Falls colors in Arrowhead.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

It’s hard to envision fall colors when the temperatures still feel like August. Nevertheless, grab your keys and head out this weekend to see Minnesota’s finest color displays.

No matter which direction you head, there are plenty of opportunities for some stunning autumn colors. A large part of northern Minnesota is currently experiencing 25-50 percent fall color, except for the Bemidji area, which still has some catching up to do.

Fall colors map 9-27
Fall colors map 9-27
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

One of my favorite Minnesota destinations, Gooseberry Falls, is this week’s highlighted state park, featuring leaves at 50-75 percent peak color.

Gooseberry Falls colors
Gooseberry Falls colors
MN DNR

If you're heading to southern Minnesota this weekend, Carley State Park, just outside of Rochester, is showing 25-50 percent peak color.

Carley State Park colors
Carley State Park colors
MN DNR

Sunny and mild temperatures

The unwavering trend of sunshine and warm temperatures continues into the last weekend of September. Highs on Saturday will reach the mid to upper 80s in central and southern Minnesota, while northwestern Minnesota and the North Shore will be slightly cooler, with highs in the upper 70s and low 70s, respectively.

Highs for Saturday
Highs for Saturday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Sunday will feature highs in the lower to mid 80s for central and southern Minnesota. The Iron Range area will be cooler, with temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s, thanks to an easterly wind coming off Lake Superior.

Highs for Sunday.
Highs for Sunday.
NOAA

Sunday will be breezier in northwestern Minnesota, with southerly winds gusting over 25 mph ahead of a dry cold front.

Wind speeds Sunday morning through Monday morning.
Wind speeds Sunday morning through Monday morning.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Like a broken record, there are once again zero chances for precipitation in the immediate forecast. The cold front arriving early next week is expected to struggle to produce even clouds, much less any rain.

Forecast simulated radar for Monday morning through Tuesday morning.
Forecast simulated radar for Monday morning through Tuesday morning.
NOAA via College of DuPage Weather

Enjoy another glorious summer—oops, I mean fall—weekend!