Minneapolis woke up under a thick blanket of clouds on Friday, May 22, 2026, with temperatures stuck in the low 50s and a cool east-southeast breeze keeping things on the brisk side. A few stray showers may sneak through this afternoon, but the main show in terms of steady rain and isolated thunderstorms is holding off until later tonight.
What To Expect Friday
Through the day, expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 67°F, with east-southeast winds running about 10 to 15 mph. A slight chance of showers will hang around from mid-morning into late afternoon, but daytime rain odds stay low, around 20%, according to the National Weather Service Twin Cities.
Evening Commute
The drive home could be soggy. Showers and a few thunderstorms are expected to ramp up in coverage this evening and continue into the overnight hours, with lows dipping into the mid-50s. Around the Twin Cities, storms should stay scattered, so not everyone gets drenched at once, but brief heavy downpours and gusty winds are the main issues to watch. If your plans keep you outside after dark, pack a rain jacket and have a quick escape plan to shelter.
Heaviest Rain West Of The Cities
The real soaking looks to set up well west of the metro. Parts of southwest and west-central Minnesota could see the highest totals, with isolated amounts up to about 1 to 1.5 inches, while closer to the Twin Cities totals drop off to just a few tenths of an inch. That heavier band will be welcome relief for some of the drier parts of the state, although it also bumps up the risk for localized ponding where soils are already saturated. If you live west of the river, it is a good night to keep an eye on radar.
Weekend Warmup
Once this system moves through, the rest of the holiday weekend turns warmer and drier. Sunday is expected to climb toward the 80s, and Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026, is forecast to reach the upper 80s, near 88°F, under mostly sunny skies. South winds early next week will help push highs into the upper 80s on Tuesday, so gardeners and picnic planners should start thinking less about umbrellas and more about sunscreen and extra water. With limited rain chances through much of next week, soil moisture will be slow to rebound in some neighborhoods.
Before You Head Out
For Friday evening, plan on some patches of wet pavement and give yourself a little extra time if you are driving or biking, since minor ponding is possible in low-lying spots. For live traffic and road condition updates, check 511MN before you head out. Beyond tonight, expect a humid, mostly dry stretch to carry you through the middle of next week.
