Minneapolis residents, brace for a series of somewhat predictable yet still quite annoying weather changes. If we are to take the latest forecasts published by the National Weather Service at face value, Twin Cities' skies will do their dance from sunny spells to potential showers and thunderstorms this week. Strap in for a roller coaster of conditions, sans the thrill—unless you find erratic weather thrilling, that is.
Today, the NWS reported "areas of smoke between 9am and 4pm" forecast for Minneapolis, MN. The haze, however unwelcome, isn't sticking around for too long, planning to make way for sunny skies and a high of 82 degrees. And while the wind's projected to be nothing but a whisper of northwest calm today, it seems determined to switch up, gusting from the south southeast at about 5 mph past the witching hour.
The NWS has forecasted a "30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm" for Thursday. The day will otherwise remain partly sunny with an unassuming high nearing 79, while the wind chooses a more southerly attitude, picking up the pace at 5 to 15 mph. Don't be misled by the seemingly gentle breeze; those potential storms hold a personal vendetta against your outdoor plans.
Transitioning to Friday, forecasters anticipate a "20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm" with a mostly sunny outlook and temperatures edging up into the more sweltering region of 87 degrees. South winds seem to favor consistency, begrudgingly maintaining around 10 mph. Chances of precipitation tick upward to 60% Friday night, teasing "new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible." The tumultuous dance between clear skies and storm threats is set to become the weekend's rhythm as well.
Don't put your umbrellas too far out of reach; there’s a "50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms" for Saturday before 1 p.m., the NWS states. And while the temperatures appear reluctant to dip below a summer-like high of 85, the winds are due for an about-face, shifting north-northwest come afternoon. This, however, might not be enough to blow away the chances of more rain into Saturday night and Sunday.
The capricious trend of the dreary drizzle and its on-again-off-again relationship with Minneapolis’s skies extends into the early week. Thunderstorms are still a possibility, hanging with a 40 percent chance on Monday, dwindling to 30 percent on Tuesday. So, topping off our wardrobe with water-resistant gear seems like a prudent choice for Twin Cities' residents until skies decide to fully commit to fall's crisp clarity—or at least until they can successfully dodge raindrops long enough to enjoy a brief moment of sunshine. The prolonged forecast flirts with the idea of better weather, citing "mostly sunny" conditions for Tuesday, but I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it. After all, Mother Nature isn't exactly known for her stable relationships with seasonal expectations.
