Minneapolis woke up to clear skies and a comfortable start Saturday morning, July 11, 2026, with temperatures sitting near 72°F at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. That mellow vibe will not last long. By this afternoon, thermometers are expected to push toward 90°F, and the humidity will start to creep up as the weekend wears on.
Afternoon Into Early Week
Under plenty of sunshine and with light south winds, temperatures are forecast to climb into the upper 80s to around 90°F this afternoon, with only a very small chance of a stray shower. Forecasters are eyeing a drawn-out heat stretch through early next week, with highs projected in the low to mid 90s from Sunday through Tuesday and heat indices landing in the mid to upper 90s. The National Weather Service warns that Heat Advisories may be needed beginning Sunday and continuing into Tuesday, so expect hot afternoons and warm, sticky nights (NWS Twin Cities).
Where To Find Cool Air
If your air conditioning is unreliable or nonexistent, there are community cooling options scattered around the metro. The Salvation Army is planning to open its Twin Cities service centers as cooling sites during the worst of the heat, including locations on E. Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue North, according to the Star Tribune. Call ahead to confirm hours and any admission rules, and use the opportunity to check on neighbors, pets, and anyone working outside during the peak heat of the day.
Plan Ahead
To ride out the heat wave with minimal misery, try to schedule heavy outdoor chores or workouts for early morning or later in the evening, sip water throughout the day, and never leave people or pets in parked cars. Overnight lows are expected to hover in the low 70s, which means only modest relief after sunset. Building in cooling strategies now will make the rest of the weekend and early week far more bearable.
