Minneapolis woke up under clear skies Wednesday, with a crisp 21°F reading at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and barely a hint of wind. By midday, plenty of sunshine will help push afternoon highs close to 37°F, making this one of the warmer days of the week. Clouds will thicken tonight, and temperatures will slide back into the mid 20s, so you will still want a jacket for the evening commute.
Warm Stretch Ahead
The real story is the mild run lining up for the rest of the week. Highs are expected to reach around 43°F on Thursday, climb into the mid 40s on Friday, and land near 50°F by Saturday, with temperatures jumping into the low to mid 50s early next week.
According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, “Above normal temperatures will persist through early next week,” and Saturday’s warmth could come close to challenging 90-plus-year-old record highs for MSP. Forecasters also expect conditions to stay dry through the weekend. The next meaningful shot at measurable rain holds off until Tuesday, when shower chances pick up in the afternoon.
Timing And Commute
Light winds and mostly sunny skies should make for an easy Wednesday afternoon for errands, lunch breaks, or a quick stroll outside. There are no watches or warnings posted for the Twin Cities, and roads are expected to remain mostly dry through the day. Overnight lows will dip back into the mid 20s, so it will still feel more like winter in the mornings and evenings, even as afternoons lean toward early-spring territory.
Earlier Note
We recently flagged an early mid-February thaw in the forecast; see our earlier piece on the brief midweek warm up for background. This update shows that warm-up sticking around a bit longer and coming in a bit stronger, so it is a good time to plan outdoor activities around those mild afternoons while still bracing for chillier nights.
