Minneapolis wakes up under clear skies this morning, with temperatures sitting in the upper 50s and sunshine already nudging the numbers higher. Expect a bright, warm day with highs near 80°F, but do not let the blue sky fool you: a gusty west wind will kick up through the afternoon. Later tonight, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the evening and linger into the overnight hours.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By midday, winds swing around to the west and ramp up to around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts that could reach 30 mph this afternoon. River crossings and exposed bridges may feel a little rougher than the temperature suggests. Highs will land in the upper 70s to about 80°F, and the steady breeze should help keep humidity from getting out of hand. According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, those gusty winds are the main issue most neighborhoods will notice during the afternoon.
Evening Thunder Threat
A band of energy sliding in from the northwest will boost the odds for scattered showers and thunderstorms this evening. The first chance looks to arrive between about 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with storms becoming more widespread from roughly 9 p.m. into the overnight hours, through around 4 a.m. A few storms could be on the strong side, with hail and damaging wind gusts as the primary concerns. New rainfall totals are expected to stay on the lighter end, generally under a tenth of an inch. It is a good idea to keep an eye on radar and have an indoor backup ready for any evening plans.
Weekend Preview
Behind the front, things look quieter. Saturday should turn mostly sunny with a high near 75°F and overnight lows dipping into the low 50s. Sunday follows a similar script, with northwest winds around 15 mph and highs in the low to mid 70s, running a bit below what is typical for this time of year. This lines up with the June 5 forecast.
What To Know For Tonight
If you have outdoor plans this evening, make sure you can move things inside quickly and secure lightweight patio furniture before the gusts and storms arrive. Brief heavy downpours could cut visibility, so allow extra time for the evening commute and take it easy on wet roads. Check radar updates if you are traveling late, and bring pets indoors when the thunder starts up.
