Minneapolis residents can expect a departure from the calm autumn weather today, as forecasters anticipate a day filled with showers and strong gusts that could reach up to 45 mph. According to the National Weather Service, the high for the day will hover near 46 degrees, with a notable west northwest wind making conditions feel brisker than usual.
The impact of the wind is predicted to be more pronounced before 5pm today, with an 80 percent chance of precipitation and less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall expected. Following the rainy spell, skies will remain cloudy as temperatures drop to around 39 degrees tonight. Despite the windy conditions, which persist with speeds between 15 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph, only a slight chance of showers remains before 9pm.
Moving into Wednesday, the weather takes a turn towards mildness with partly sunny skies and a high reaching close to the 50-degree mark. In this brief respite, winds are expected to chill somewhat, maintaining a northwest direction at around 15 mph, accompanied by gusts up to 25 mph. "No hazardous weather is expected at this time," reports the National Weather Service in its advisory, offering residents a reassuring forecast for the midweek.
However, today, the NWS forecast has triggered a Wind Advisory for several counties, including Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Ramsey, Washington, and Goodhue, from 10 AM to 6 PM. During this time, the "gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects," and residents are warned of possible tree limbs blowing down, potentially leading to "a few power outages," the advisory cautions. Outdoor objects should be secured, and caution is advised for those driving high-profile vehicles under these blustery conditions.
