Minneapolis natives are warned to secure their outdoor belongings until 7 PM CDT this evening. The National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN cautions that east winds will reach speeds of 20 to 30 mph with the possibility of gusts up to 45 mph, according to the NWS Wind Advisory.
Wind is the word of the week after the rain moves out tomorrow. Temperatures will cool off overnight Thursday before returning to seasonal norms on Sunday.#MNwx #WIwx pic.twitter.com/c9SHLFdZt1
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) April 16, 2024
The advisory, encompassing central, east central, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Minnesota, highlights the potential for downed tree limbs and sporadic power outages. Motorists are advised to exercise extra caution, as driving can become treacherous, especially for high-profile vehicles. "Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects," and, residents should take heed to prevent damage and injury, as per the NWS Wind Advisory.
As for the week's weather, Minneapolis is due to experience a bout of showers and possible thunderstorms today, with a high near 60 and windy conditions, as reported by the National Weather Service. An 80% chance of precipitation means that new rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch are possible. Tonight's forecast suggests more showers and a likelihood of thunderstorms before transitioning back to showers after 1 am, maintaining the windy trend.
The rest of the week oscillates, with varying possibilities of more showers and partly cloudy skies interspersed with chances for some sunshine. Wednesday is expected to greet citizens with more showers and a potential thunderstorm, high near 56, and breezy conditions that continue into the night, which has a 40 percent chance of showers before 8 pm. Breezy days are in store for Minneapolis until at least the weekend, with Thursday and Friday night potentially reaching wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Temperatures should hover in the 50s, only breaking into the low 60s come Monday when there's yet another 20 percent chance of showers.
The National Weather Service also released a Hazardous Weather Outlook stating that besides today's predicted thunderstorms, there's no hazardous weather expected for the remainder of the week. However, while the risk for severe weather today is low, the outlook does remind citizens that "thunderstorms likely this morning, and again later this afternoon and evening." During these storms, wind gusts could accelerate beyond 55 mph amidst heavier showers or weaker thunderstorms. SKYWARN spotter activation may not be necessary, but the collection of rainfall data is encouraged and valued by local weather teams.
