As of 5:35 a.m. CDT on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Minneapolis is clear and hovering near 39°F, with some low-lying spots slipping toward freezing. A Freeze Warning early Saturday is expected to keep parts of the region at or below 32°F before the sun flips the switch and warms things up, turning a frosty start into a classic warm, sunny spring afternoon.
Freeze Warning Early Saturday
The National Weather Service has a Freeze Warning in effect from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. CDT Saturday, calling for "sub-freezing temperatures of 27 to 32 degrees" across portions of central and southern Minnesota, while the core of the Twin Cities metro may hang in the mid-30s. "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold," the agency advises, warning that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and potentially damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. For the full alert, see the National Weather Service Twin Cities.
Sunny, Rapid Warm-Up
Once the cold lets go, the warm-up will be quick. Sunshine should push highs into the mid-60s Saturday afternoon, with a light west-southwest breeze around 5-10 mph. A few light showers could drift through Saturday night, but they are expected to be spotty and brief rather than a soaking rain, according to CBS Minnesota.
Protect Plants And Pipes
Gardeners are being urged to hustle a bit before dusk, moving potted plants indoors or covering beds and protecting tender seedlings where they can. The University of Minnesota Extension suggests row covers, cloches, or even simple milk-jug shelters as low-cost ways to trap a little extra heat and shield blossoms from a late spring freeze. For step-by-step tips, see University of Minnesota Extension.
Looking Ahead
Monday should feel like a different season, with highs potentially near 70°F, a slight chance of showers after 1 p.m, and west winds gusting up to 25 mph. By Tuesday and Wednesday, though, temperatures are expected to cool again, with daytime highs dropping back into the 40s and 50s and overnight lows once more flirting with frost. Anyone with outdoor plans or sensitive plants into next week is encouraged to keep an eye on updated forecasts from the National Weather Service Twin Cities.
