Minneapolis wakes up on Wednesday, May 13 to clear skies, cool air and a pretty ideal spring setup. Temperatures are sitting near 45°F at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport early this morning, and plenty of sunshine is on tap to lift afternoon highs into the low to mid 70s. Light northwest breezes around 5 to 10 mph should make it a prime day for patios, walks and errands before the weather pattern gets busier later in the week.
Afternoon Into Thursday
Today holds steady with mostly sunny, dry conditions. By Thursday, a surface low begins to shuffle the deck on winds and humidity. Expect another mostly sunny day with a high near 79°F, but the atmosphere turns more unsettled late in the day, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 4 p.m. Winds will swing around to the south-southeast and ramp up to 10 to 20 mph, with gusts that could reach about 35 mph.
Friday Fire Weather Risk
Friday is shaping up as the week’s biggest fire-weather concern. Temperatures climb into the low to mid 80s while drier air moves in and winds stay on the gusty side. The National Weather Service Twin Cities highlights the combination of stronger winds and low humidity as the main issue. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources currently has Hennepin County under spring burning restrictions, so skip open burns and double-check local rules before lighting anything outdoors.
Weekend Outlook
The quiet stretch starts to fade late Saturday, with a broader window for rain from Saturday afternoon through Tuesday. The most likely time for showers and thunderstorms appears to be Sunday night into Monday, when rain chances climb and storms may be more widespread. If you are banking on outdoor plans for Sunday night or Monday, keep plans flexible and keep an eye out for updated timing.
How To Prepare
Tie down or bring in lightweight patio furniture and decor before the gustier periods later this week, and have an indoor backup ready for evening activities in case storms pop up. Before you strike a match for any yard cleanup or burning, check the latest forecast and local burn restrictions so you stay on the right side of safety and regulations.
